I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. I 

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J UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 



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CHRISTIAN EFFORT: 



OR, 



FACTS AND INCIDENTS DESIGNED TO ENFORCE AND 
ILLUSTRATE 



THE 



DUTY OF INDIVIDUAL LABOUR FOR THE 
SALVATION OF SOULS. 



BY SARAH BAKER. 



He that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 

Jesus Christ. 



A 



Network 



PUBLISHED BY LANE & SCOTT, 

200 Mulberry-street. 
JOSEPH LONGKING, PRINTER. 



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I, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by 
LANE & SCOTT, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern 
District of New-York. 



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PREFACE. 



For some years past, the subject of the 
following pages has rested with much 
weight on the mind of the writer, and 
now the work is submitted to the Chris- 
tian public with a simple purpose to 
glorify God and save souls. It has 
been prepared in circumstances of great 
embarrassment, and in much bodily 
weakness and suffering, at distant and 
protracted intervals. Still, among all 
these difficulties, the writer has felt a 
strong sense of duty to endeavour to 
contribute something to the cause of 
Christian enterprise; and it is hoped 
that the duties here attempted to be en- 
forced, will be rather regarded by the 
reader, than the imperfect manner in 
which the work is done. 



PREFACE. 



" Principle instructs us, — precepts 
guide us ; but examples move us. Ex- 
ample is principle and precept embodied, 
living and in action. We see not only 
what is done, and what ought to be 
done ; but what can be done, and how 
it is done." It has, accordingly, been 
thought best to exhibit the principle 
and duty of Christian effort by exam- 
ples and incidents, gathered from re- 
sponsible sources. 

The writer is fully aware that the 
remarks on many of the subjects intro- 
duced are exceedingly meager, compared 
with their importance. On some of 
those subjects, a volume, rather than a 
brief chapter, might have been written. 
It is hoped, however, that the reader's 
own mind will make up these necessary 
omissions, and present, with all appro- 
priate fulness, the several subjects that 
are here only suggested. 

It is remarked by Seneca, that " the 



PREFACE. 



husbandmen in Egypt never look up to 
heaven for rain in time of drought, but 
to the overflowing of the Nile." So 
with many when they read a book : they 
look more to the wit, the style, the 
learning of the author, than to the bless- 
ing of God on what they read. u He that 
makes not conscience of praying over 
what he reads," says an admired author, 
" will find little sweetness or profit in 
his reading. Luther professeth that he 
profited more in knowledge of the 
Scriptures in a short space of time, than 
by study in a longer. John, when 
weeping, had the sealed book opened. 
Men w T ould gain much more by reading 
good men's works, if they would but 
pray more over what they read. Ah, 
Christians ! pray before you read, and 
pray after you read, that all may be 
blessed and sanctified to you." 

The writer would, therefore, earnestly 
solicit the reader's prayers for the Di- 



PREFACE. 

vine blessing upon the perusal of this 
little volume ; and especially that grace 
may be afforded to enable each to re- 
duce to practice the duties that it may 
suggest, that all may be enabled to live 
not for themselves alone, "but unto 
Him who hath died for us, and rose 
again." So prays 

The Author. 

Dorchester, Mass., 1850. 



CONTENTS 



Chapter Page 

I. — The Duty of Personal Christian 

Effort Considered 9 

II. — Parents' Department — Conversion 

of Children 21 

III. — Keligious Training of Children . 41 

IV. — Sabbath-school Teachers .... 63 

V. — Ministers' Department — Their Du- 
ty out of the Pulpit 82 

VI. — Duty of Employers 98 

VII. — Duty of the Employed 118 

VJLLL. — Domestic Department 130 

IX. — How Children may do Good . . .146 

X. — Seamen's Department 157 

XI. — Combination of Personal Effort . 172 

XII.— On Visiting 182 

XIII. — Use and Influence of Good Books . 194 



8 CONTENTS. 

Chapter Page 

XIV. — Tract Distribution 209 

XV. — The Christian Correspondent . .219 

XVI. — Traveller's Department 227 

XVII. — Power of Prater when other Means 

HATE APPARENTLY FAILED .... 234 

XVIII. — Plan for Private Prayer . . . .241 
XIX.— Conclusion 261 



CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE DUTY OF PERSONAL CHRISTIAN EFFORT 
CONSIDERED. 

God, in the Holy Scriptures, has most clearly- 
taught his people their duty and privilege of 
being " workers together with him," in giving to 
a lost and perishing world a knowledge of sal- 
vation, through the gospel of his S on. 

Not only are their duty and privilege thus 
taught, but God has also endowed his people 
with various talents for the performance of this 
work. And, in addition to these, the Holy 
Ghost has been given as a teacher and helper, 
without whom the prayers and labours of the 
most devoted Christian would avail nothing. 
The apostle says, "A manifestation of the 
Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." 
Jesus also says, " The Comforter, which is the 
Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my 
name, he shall teach you all things, and bring 



10 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

all things to your remembrance whatsoever I 
have said unto you." 

On the day of Pentecost, when the disciples 
"were all with one accord in one place," the 
promised gift of the Holy Ghost was imparted : 
" Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as 
of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the 
house where they were sitting. And there ap- 
peared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, 
and it sat upon each of them. And they were 
all filled with the Holy Ghost." Of the Spirit's 
influence we shall speak more fully in another 
chapter. We would here offer a few thoughts 
in regard to the form which the Holy Ghost 
assumed on the day of Pentecost. It was that 
of " tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each 
of them." This image or figure is very striking 
and instructive. The tongue of the unrenewed 
man "is a fire, a world of iniquity — full of 
deadly poison — no man can tame it." So says 
the Word of God. The tongue, however, of a 
renewed and sanctified person becomes as pow- 
erful for good as it was before for evil. It is 
probably true, that wherever and whenever the 
Holy Ghost descends upon an individual, the first 
perceptible manifestation of it will be through 
the tongue ; it will be attuned to the praise of 
Him who formed it for a noble purpose. God 



PERSONAL CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 11 

has given to all men tongues, and all are re- 
sponsible for their use. The Holy Ghost also, 
in its descent, "sat upon each of them," — all 
received its power. jSTotwithstanding this fact, 
some professed Christians entertain the unscrip- 
tural notion, that none but ministers and the 
most prominent members of the Church are 
called, or required to make direct and constant 
effort for the welfare of souls. The Saviour, 
however, has made no such distinction; but 
says, without exceptions, "He that gathereth 
not with me, scattereth abroad." Let it, then, 
be remembered, that no man, in any condition 
or circumstance, "liveth unto himself alone;" 
he is living either to the injury or to the benefit 
of others. It is an encouraging fact, that per- 
sons under all conceivable circumstances, who 
have been faithful witnesses for Jesus, and his 
"power on earth to forgive sins," have received 
the approving seal of Heaven, in that, through 
their efforts, the spiritually blind have been 
made to see, the deaf to hear, the dumb to 
speak, the lame to walk. It may be inferred 
from this, that God is well pleased that his peo- 
ple should make faithful efforts to gather souls to 
Christ, since he thus sanctions and blesses their 
labours. O what a privilege as well as duty is 
this, to be u workers together with God !" Hea- 



12 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

ven could bestow no greater honor. And yet 
how few appreciate it ! 

That all are required to use their individual 
gifts for God, may be seen in the parable of the 
talents. " To one is given five talents, to another 
two, to another one, to every man according to 
his several ability." When the day of reckon- 
ing came, each one was called to a strict and 
impartial account. He who had received the 
one talent, did not waste or abuse it. No ! he 
carefully preserved and returned it to his lord. 
But, for his neglect to use it, he was " cast into 
outer darkness." Thus we see that a neglect 
to use our talents for usefulness is a sin of such 
magnitude, as to ensure the eternal destruction 
of our souls. Fellow- Christian ! start not at 
the assertion ; it is a momentous truth, and one 
that will flash with electric power across our 
souls when the light of eternity shall beam upon 
us. How important, then, that all our personal 
duties and responsibilities should be considered 
in that light, and that we should discharge them 
in reference to the great day of retribution. 

In neglecting to live and labour for God, we not 
only hazard our own eternal welfare, but we be- 
come instrumental in plunging others into perdi- 
tion, whom we should have been the means of 
saving. ? then, if you would not be the mur- 



PERSONAL CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 13 

derer of souls, and have them cry out against 
you in eternal burnings, see that you labour to 
save them ! "I charge every one of you," says 
Baxter, "upon your allegiance to God, as you 
will very shortly answer the contrary at your 
peril, that you will neither refuse nor neglect 
this most necessary duty. If you are not wil- 
ling to do it now you know it to be so great a 
duty, you are rebels, and no true subjects of 
Jesus Christ. " 

God has placed before us all the motives 
which can be drawn from heaven, earth, and 
hell, to induce us to engage in the work of sav- 
ing souls. He has also revealed to us in his 
word, and by his Spirit and his providences, the 
time and manner of performing it; and it 
should be the study of every Christian to know 
and to do this work in God's time, in God's 
Spirit, and in God's way. As the sinner who 
refuses to repent and be converted, is in danger 
of eternal damnation ; so that professed Chris- 
tian who knows his Master's will, and does it 
not, is in danger of being cast out with the un- 
profitable servant. The apostle James says, 
"To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth 
it not, to him it is sin." Such a one is as really 
a sinner as he who violates any of the precepts 
of the decalogue. It is a matter of but little 



14 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

importance to the soul that lies under the curse 
of an offended God, what particular sin procured 
that curse. The sin of omission, — of refusing to 
do good, — is as damning in its nature as the sin 
of commission. This is taught us in the solemn 
words of the Bible : — " Curse ye Meroz, saith 
the angel of the Lord ; curse ye bitterly the inha- 
bitants thereof, because they came not up to the 
help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against 
the mighty." O, Christian reader, be warned, 
be entreated to come up to the help of the Lord 
with all thy might, lest the fearful anathema 
pronounced against guilty Meroz be thy portion. 
Time is short and fleeting ; what is done, must 
be done quickly. If our dwelling were on fire, 
we should not be indifferent or slothful ; and as 
our souls and those of our neighbours are of more 
value than any earthly possession, so should a 
corresponding zeal be exercised to secure their 
salvation. 

God has inseparably connected our personal 
happiness with the discharge of our individual du- 
ties to our fellow-creatures. "Do good, thereby 
good shall come unto thee." " The Lord turned 
the captivity of Job when he prayed for his 
friends." "They that be wise shall shine as 
the brightness of the firmament ; and they that 
turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever 



PERSONAL CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 15 

and ever." "He that watereth shall be wa- 
tered also himself." "Thou hast been faithful 
over a few things, I will make thee ruler over 
many things ; enter thou into the joy of thy 
Lord." In view of such encouragement, how 
strange it is that Christians should need urg- 
ing to live and labour for the welfare of 
others ! The selfish heart can never experience 
the luxury which flows from obedience to the in- 
junction, " Let no man seek his own, but every 
man another's wealth." The following anecdote 
happily illustrates this passage : — " Mr. Howe, 
when chaplain to Cromwell, was applied to for 
protection by men of all parties, in those event- 
ful times ; and it is said that he never refused 
his assistance to any person of worth, whatever 
might be his religious tenets. ' Mr. Howe,' said 
the Protector to his chaplain, ' you have asked 
favours for everybody besides yourself; pray 
when does your turn come?' 'My turn, my 
Lord Protector/ said Mr. Howe, 'is always 
come, when I can serve another/ " 

Thus it is with the Christian ; it is always his 
turn and time to receive benefit when he can 
benefit others. 

In a recently published volume, relating to 
this duty, we find this eloquent passage among 
the concluding remarks: — " How benign would 



16 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

be the influence of a faithful discharge of this duty 
on the personal piety of Christians ! It would 
keep in habitual exercise the most pure and ele- 
vated class of benevolent emotions. It would 
keep the truth, in its most affecting relations and 
bearings, constantly before the mind, and create 
a powerful sense of obligation to lead daily a 
holy life. It would exceedingly increase the hap- 
piness of Christians. They have, for the most 
part, but little religious enjoyment, because they 
do so little to save others, and of course have so 
little scope for prayer and for the exercise of 
holy feeling. Let them but abound in this 
work of love, and their hearts will be enlarged 
in prayer and praise, and they will thus find 
new evidence of their own conformity to God." 
Not only is it for the interest of the Christian 
to labour for the sinner's welfare, but he is ex- 
pected to do so. The eyes of the wicked are 
upon him, and if he make no effort to save 
them, they will have but little confidence in his 
professions of piety. Bear this in mind, Chris- 
tian professor. The sinner expects you to 
labour for his salvation. The following fact 
corroborative of this statement, came under the 
observation of the writer a few years since. An 
unconverted youth of serious disposition, at- 
tended a camp -meeting at Eastham, near Bos- 



PERSONAL CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 17 

ton. He expected, in going to that meeting, to 
meet with many who would, unasked by him, 
converse with him on the subject of his soul's 
salvation. He stayed through the whole time of 
the meeting, and no one personally and faith- 
fully interested himself in his spiritual welfare. 
When the meeting broke up, he returned to his 
pious mother, and told her the sad tale. Said 
he, " I expected, among so many Christians, I 
should be talked with about religion, and the 
salvation of my soul, but I was not." The 
mother's heart was pained with this intelligence, 
and desired it might be published, as a warning 
to professed Christians not to neglect personal 
effort for the salvation of every soul within the 
reach of their influence. 

General effort, though good in its place, is 
not enough ; there must be direct and particu- 
lar effort. This is powerful. Few sinners can 
withstand it, when made by a consistent and de- 
voted Christian. In the Memoirs of the devoted 
Harlan Page, we find a testimony to the utility 
and power of this kind of dealing with souls, 
given by a young mechanic. " On New- Year's 
day," said he, " I reflected that I had never at- 
tended a monthly concert of prayer in this city, 
and determined that for once I would go. I 
went early, found only the sexton in the room, 

2 



18 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

and sat down. Soon there came in a plain 
man, who spoke very pleasantly to the sexton, 
and then, coming and sitting by my side, after a 
kind salutation, said, ' I trust you love the Sa- 
viour T The question instantly filled my eyes 
with tears. I had been preached to at arms- 
length all my days in New- Hampshire ; but this 
was the first time in my life that ever a Chris- 
tian thus kindly and directly put such a question 
to my heart. We conversed considerably to- 
gether, in the course of which, at his request, I 
gave him my name and residence. The next day 
he came to my shop, and brought the tract, 'Way to 
be Saved/ which he thought I would like to read. 
He called again and again. I became interested 
in him, and the next Sabbath joined his Sabbath- 
School, was brought, as I hope, to Christ, and 
soon united with the church." How true it is, 
that " the lips of the righteous feed many !" 
Young converts, especially, exhibit a powerful 
commentary on the truths of God in this respect. 
Their looks, their spirit, their words and actions, 
all tell upon the hearts and consciences of those 
about them. What a pity that any should lose 
their " first love," and cease to labour for the 
direct benefit of the sinner! God does not 
speak through the cold and heartless professor 
as he did to that young mechanic through the 



PERSONAL CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 19 

warm-hearted Harlan Page. So whoever would 
reach an impenitent heart, and divert it from its 
evil course, must labour in the name and 
strength of the Almighty. In this way the 
young stripling with his sling and stone may 
lay the boasting giant at the feet of Jesus. 
Thus, in every age of the world, the saints have 
been mighty through God to the pulling down 
of strongholds. Thus they may continue to 
be, having the promise of God " Lo I am with 
you always, even unto the end of the world." 

And now, dear reader, we shall endeavour in 
the succeeding chapters to spread out more 
fully the subject of Christian effort, hoping, 
in some way, to reach every heart. In doing 
so, we shall aim more particularly to in- 
struct and encourage you by the presentation 
of various facts and incidents, rather than by 
theory and argument. Few, except master- 
spirits, can hope to do good by much theorizing ; 
so we have chosen this course, believing it the 
best which we could take for the attainment of 
the desired object. It cannot be denied that in 
the multitude of counsellors and witnesses, 
which we shall cause to speak in this volume, 
there is wisdom. Many of them possess 
the wisdom which has been taught by age and 
experience ; others possess the wisdom and 



20 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

knowledge of many worldly sciences ; and all or 
most of them have shared in that wisdom which 
is from God — "pure, peaceable, without parti- 
ality, and without hypocrisy." And we hope, 
through their united testimony, the reader will 
be enabled to derive some lasting benefit, and 
especially encouraged to gather fruit unto 
eternal life. 

" The vineyard of the Lord 
Before his labr'rers lies : 
And lo ! we see the vast reward 
Which waits us in the skies — 

44 Where all our toils are o'er, 
Our suffering and our pain ; 
Who meet on that eternal shore, 
Shall never part ag'ain. ,, 



CONVERSION OF CHILDREN. 21 



CHAPTER II. 

PARENTS' DEPARTMENT— CONVERSION OF 
CHILDREN. 

In this chapter we wish particularly to interest 
and encourage Christian parents to labour for and 
expect the conversion of their children. The 
work of parental instruction should commence 
with the first dawning of intelligence. The science 
of religion — of loving God — is more easily learn- 
ed by the child than any other science, if it is 
rightly taught : this question, however, we will 
leave to be considered in a succeeding chapter. 
We shall present at this point a few facts relative 
to the manner and success of pious parents who 
have arduously laboured for the salvation of their 
children. There are so many pleasing incidents 
of this description, that volumes might be given 
instead of a single chapter. We shall, therefore, 
endeavour to select a few which will exhibit in 
some degree the operations of the Holy Spirit 
upon the parent's heart, and how, under that 
influence, parents have become labourers with 
God in the salvation of their children. 

In Pike's " Guide for Young Disciples'' we 
find the following: — "I have known," said a 
pious father, " the grace of God for nearly thirty 



22 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

years; but, in spite of all my advice, my five 
sons and two daughters, all grown up, ran on in 
the broad way to destruction. This cost me 
many a prayer and tear, yet I saw no fruit of 
all my labours. In January last I dreamed that 
the day of judgment was come ; I saw the Judge 
on his great white throne, the holy angels sitting 
around him, and all nations gathered before him. 
I and my wife were on the right hand, but I 
could not see my children. I then thought I 
must go and seek them; so I went to the left 
hand, and found them all standing together, tear- 
ing their hair, beating their breasts, and cursing 
the day that they were born. As soon as they 
saw me, they all caught hold of me, and said, 
' 0, father, we will part no more !' I said, ' My 
dear children, I am come to try, if possible, to 
get you out of this dismal situation !' So I took 
them all with me; but when we were come 
within a bow-shot of the Judge, I thought He 
cast an angry look, and said, ' What do thy chil- 
dren with thee now? they would not take thy 
warning when upon earth : they shall not share 
the crown with thee. Depart, ye cursed !' At 
these words I awoke, bathed in tears. 

" A few days after this, as we were sitting all 
together on a Sabbath evening, I related my 
dream to them. No sooner did I begin, but first 



CONVERSION OF CHILDREN. 23 

one, then another, yea, all of them, burst into 
tears, and God fastened conviction on their 
hearts. Five of them are now rejoicing in God 
their Saviour. I believe God is at work with 
the other two; so that I doubt not he will 
give them also to my prayers !" 

This good old saint, before he exchanged time 
for eternity, had the happiness of seeing the 
remainder of his children converted to the truth 
as it is in Jesus, and adorning the doctrine of 
God our Saviour by useful lives. 

We have given the preceding sketch for two 
important reasons ; first, as an encouragement 
to pious parents to persevere in their efforts for 
the salvation of their children ; second, because 
the dream brings up to the mind a powerful 
Bible motive, to labour in view of the awful retri- 
butions of a judgment-day. How heart-rending 
is the thought, that 

"Parents and children there may part, 
May part to meet no more !" 

In order to avert such a fearful doom, we 
would especially beseech parents to give them- 
selves no rest, day or night, until, with them- 
selves, their children are also found in the cove- 
nant of God's grace. The sainted Carvosso did 
not fully see and apply the promises of God in 



24 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

reference to his children's welfare until some 
years after his conversion, when his attention was 
called to it through the remarks of a pious friend ; 
and as it stands in connexion with the conversion 
of their children, we present it to our readers. 
"Returning one night," says Carvosso, "from 
Redruth, in company with a pious friend, he told 
me he had the unspeakable happiness, the night 
before, to witness the conversion of his young 
daughter, while he held her in his arms. I in- 
formed him I had two children who were getting 
up to mature age, but I was grieved to say I 
had not yet seen any marks of a work of God 
upon their minds. His reply I shall never for- 
get : — ' Brother, has not God promised to pour 
his Spirit upon thy seed, and his blessing upon 
thy offspring ?• The words went through me in 
an unaccountable manner ; they seemed to take 
hold of my heart. I felt as if I had not done 
my duty, and resolved to make a new effort in 
prayer. I had always prayed for my children ; 
but now I grasped the promise with the hand 
of faith, and retired daily at special seasons to 
put the Lord to his word. I said nothing of 
what I felt, or did, to any one but the Searcher 
of hearts. 

" About a fortnight after I had been thus en- 
gaged with God, being at work in the field, I 



CONVERSION OF CHILDREN. 25 

received a message from my wife, informing me 
that I was wanted within.. When I entered the 
house, my wife told me, ' Grace is above stairs, 
apparently distressed for something ; but nothing 
can be got from her, but that she must see 
father.' Judge of my feelings when I found my 
daughter a weeping penitent at the feet of Jesus. 
On seeing me she exclaimed, ' 0, father, I am 
afraid I shall go to hell !' The answer of my 
full heart was, ' No, glory be to God, I am not 
afraid of that now P She said she had felt the 
load of sin about a fortnight, and that now she 
longed to find Christ. I pointed her to the true 
Physician, and she soon found rest, through faith 
in the atoning blood. 

" My eldest son had hitherto been utterly care- 
less about the things of God, and associated with 
youths of a similar disposition of mind ; but now 
he became the subject of a manifest change. 
He cast off his old companions ; and one Sunday 
afternoon, just before I was going to meet my 
class, he came to me with a sorrowful mind, and 
expressed his desire to go with me to the class- 
meeting ; he did go, and that day cast in his lot 
with the people of God ; and blessed be his holy 
name, they both continue to this day." 

Soon after the above, Mr. Carvosso speaks 
again of the conversion of another child, as fol- 



26 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

lows : — " I now began to feel a particular concern 
for the salvation of my younger son. I laid hold 
by faith on the same promise which I had before 
done, when pleading for my other children, and 
went to the same place to call upon my God in 
his behalf. One day while I was wrestling with 
God in mighty prayer for him, these words were 
applied with power to my mind, 'There shall 
not a hoof be left behind/ I could pray no more ; 
my prayer was lost in praises ; in shouts of joy, 
and ' Glory, glory, glory ! the Lord will save all 
my family !' While I am writing this, the silent 
tears flow down from my eyes. His life was 
quite moral ; I could not reprove him for any out- 
ward sin. In his leisure hours his delight was 
in studying different branches of useful know- 
ledge. But this, though good in its place, was 
not religion ; I knew his heart was yet estranged 
from God. After the answer I had in prayer, 
I waited some time, hoping to see the change ef- 
fected in him as it was in his sister and brother ; 
but as it was not taking place according to my 
expectations, I felt my mind deeply impressed 
with the duty of taking the first opportunity of 
opening my mind to him, and talking closely to 
him about eternal things. I accordingly came 
to him on one occasion when he was, as usual, 
engaged with his books; and with my heart 



CONVERSION OF CHILDREN. 27 

deeply affected, I asked him if it was not time 
for him to enter upon a life of religion. I told 
him with tears, that I then felt my body was 
fast failing, and that if anything would distress 
my mind in a dying hour, it would be the 
thought of closing my eyes in death before I saw 
him converted to God. This effort the Lord 
was pleased to bless ; the truth took hold of his 
heart ; he went with me to the class -meeting, 
and soon obtained the knowledge of salvation by 
the remission of his sins. This was a matter of 
great joy and rejoicing to me and my dear wife ; 
we had now the unspeakable happiness of seeing 
all our dear children converted to God, and 
travelling in the way to heaven with us." 

Thus parents should always be intent on the 
conversion of their children, the younger the bet- 
ter. It is a dangerous and most fatal error for 
parents to suppose that children cannot at a very 
early age understand the way of salvation. At 
how early an age children pass the line of ac- 
countability, is quite uncertain. God alone can 
know this ; but it is probably true, that some 
pass it much earlier than others. It is feared 
many dear children, even of professedly Chris- 
tian parents, die in a state of sinful impenitency. 
Dear reader, are you a parent ? think — feel 
— labour for the eternal welfare of your child be- 



28 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

fore it is too late ! Consider what it will be to 
look on your poor children in eternal flames, and 
that through your neglect ! Some parents are 
much prejudiced against the idea of little children 
being converted ; this is no new thing. The 
early disciples of the Saviour were somewhat in- 
fluenced with the same feeling. They manifested 
this spirit by rebuking those who brought their 
young children to Christ. But when the blessed 
Jesus saw it, "he was much displeased/' and 
said, " Suffer the little children to come unto me, 
and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom 
of God." He also manifested his peculiar re- 
gard for such by taking them up in his arms, and 
putting his hands upon them and blessing them. 
This example of the Saviour should banish for- 
ever all the prejudice and skepticism which may 
have been hitherto lurking in the minds of Chris- 
tian parents respecting early piety. Besides this, 
we have the most abundant proofs from many 
still living, that the grace of God which bringeth 
salvation has been experienced in very early 
childhood, and retained and enjoyed through 
each succeeding period of life, and now lights 
up the soul in time of old age with bright hopes 
of blooming anew in the paradise of God. And 
in the past history of the Church, a large portion 
of her most learned and pious ministers were 



CONVERSION OF CHILDREN. 29 

converted to God in their childhood, many of 
whom, like Samuel, were before their birth con- 
secrated to the service of the Great Head of the 
Church. 

As we give in another chapter some thoughts 
on the early religious training of children, we 
shall close this with the following interesting 
sketch, which exhibits very minutely the work- 
ings of the Holy Spirit. It is contained in Mrs. 
Palmer's book, entitled " The Way of Holiness." 

" Sabbath evening, June 29, 18 — . Memorable 
period ! I am at a loss for language wherewith to 
record the abundant joy of my heart. On the 
evening of this date, my beloved S — received 
clear witness of adoption into the family of Christ. 

"For some time past she has manifested in- 
creasing interest in spiritual things. She has 
also been more successful in governing her dis- 
position, which is naturally very resolute. When 
at times it has gained the ascendency, and I have 
endeavoured to show her how unlovely and sinful 
the indulgence of wrong tempers is in the sight 
of God, she has wept, and prayed for forgive- 
ness, and earnestly asked for a heart which would 
incline her to everything lovely and pure in the 
sio-ht of God and man. 

" On Sabbath evening, previous to going with 
her to her room, I had an unusually sweet sea- 



30 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

son in waiting before the Lord. It was neces- 
sary that I should remain at home, but I had 
not settled in my contemplations the manner of 
spending the evening. In seeking for direction, 
I asked that the Lord would so take the lead of 
my mind, and all connecting circumstances, that 
the evening might be remembered in time and 
eternity, as one of the most important in my 
Christian history. 

" I shall never forget the request, for it required 
such a struggle of faith to claim the assurance 
that I had the petition I had desired of God. 
Satan withstood with the suggestion, that there 
was no reasonable foundation for the fulfilment 
of such an expectation. Human probabilities 
were all against the indulgence of the idea of 
anything unusual; and why should I imagine 
that God would condescend to go out of his or- 
dinary way of working, when there was nothing 
in the intimation of existing circumstances to 
warrant such an expectation ? But the Holy 
Spirit said, 'All things are possible with God, 
and all things are possible to him that believetk.' 
With this I was strengthened to claim the assur- 
ance that the desire of my heart should be grant- 
ed. But I did not receive at the time the least 
intimation of the manner in which God would 
prove his faithfulness. 



CONVERSION OF CHILDREN. 31 

u Soon afterward I accompanied my daughter 
to her room, and before assisting her to undress, I 
read to her an interesting account of little Mary 
P. Clark, from the Christian Advocate and Jour- 
nal. She was much affected, and exclaimed, — 
'What a sweet, good child she must have 
been P 

" e Mary must have had a new heart, or she 
could not have been such a sweet good child/ 
I observed. ' And you may be sure, dear S — , 
that the Lord is just as willing to give you a new 
heart as he was to bestow such a precious gift 
upon Mary/ 

" ' ! I wish I had it ! 0, 1 want it now P she 
exclaimed, with increasing emotion. 

" ' Well, your heavenly Father wants to give it 
to you now, my daughter. He says, ' Ask, and 
you shall receive ;' ' Come unto ?ne ;' and he 
wants you to come unto him now. He is saying 
to you, this moment, ' Try me, and prove me P 
Now, try the Lord, and prove him. See if he 
will not give you a new heart. That heart of 
yours already belongs to God, and he requires 
it of you ; will he not take it ? He just now says, 
* Give me thy heart.' You well know how it 
would be, should you ask your mother for any- 
thing which she knew to be for your good. 
Would she not give it to you? And now how 



o2 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

much more willing is your heavenly Father to give 
the Holy Spirit to them that ash him ? He knows 
you need a new heart, and he only waits for you 
to come to him, and ask, and you shall receive. 
We will now kneel, and ask that God will re- 
ceive you, and while you give yourself away to 
him, w r e will beseech him to give you a new 
heart.' 

" With looks expressive of unutterable desire, 
she assented, and we knelt together. I en- 
deavoured to be a mouth for her in confessing her 
need of a Saviour, and in earnest supplication 
for pardon and adoption. Her fervent responses 
spoke assuringly to my heart, as in verity the 
language of her over-burdened spirit. I felt 
most consciously that I beheld in her experience 
the significant expression verified, 'The Spirit 
maketh intercession with groanings unutterable.' 
The great deep of her heart seemed broken up ; 
and the violence of her grief was so great, that 
I was fearful the excitement might prevent that 
calm, decisive action of faith, by which the soul 
throws itself on the mercy of God, through our 
Lord Jesus Christ. 

" Yet, notwithstanding this, I felt so desirous 
that every step should be distinctly marked with 
the most incontestable evidence of the Holy Spi- 
rit's leadings, both for the establishment of my 



CONVERSION OF CHILDREN. 33 

own faith, and the permanency of hers, that I 
resolved, though my nature shrank from being 
instrumental in probing her wounded spirit more 
deeply, to continue my efforts yet a little longer, 
in endeavouring to discover to her a more 
thorough knowledge of her need of a Saviour. 
" We had risen from prayer, and I said, ' Did 
you ever think, dear S — , that all the sins you 
ever committed were written down in the book 
of the Lord ?' I then told her of a youthful rela- 
tive, who, a few moments previous to his death, 
repeated the hymn ; — 

1 Almighty God ! thy piercing eye 
Strikes through the shades of night, 

And our most secret actions lie 
All open to thy sight. 

* There's not a sin which we commit, 

Or wicked word we say, 
But in that dreadful book is writ, 
Against the judgment-day. 

* And must the sins which I have done 

Be read and publish'd there ? 
Be all exposed before the Son, 
While men and angels hear ! 

* Lord, at thy feet ashamed I lie ; 
Upward I dare not look ; 
Pardon my sins before I die, 
And blot them from thy book.' 

"The effect produced on her mind while re- 
peating these lines I can never forget. The 

3 



34 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

Lord was eminently present, and spoke, through 
the medium of the words, to her inmost heart. 
As I progressed, her emotions were increasingly 
demonstrative of the fact, that she felt herself 
standing as a condemned criminal before God. 
And when I came to the last stanza, the language 
of her quivering spirit seemed to say, ' Spare, I 
can bear no more.' 

" Never before, for other than my own soul, 
had I felt such a weight of responsibility. It 
was in part induced from the conviction that it 
was the design of my heavenly Father that the 
conversion of my dear child might depend, in- 
strumentally, upon the strength of my faith. 
The unutterable solicitude educed from this con- 
viction influenced me to pause, in prayerful sus- 
pense, before the Lord. Her spirit seemed 
almost overwhelmed : and 0, with what longing 
of soul did I wait for heavenly direction ! 

" She knelt for the performance of her even- 
ing's devotion, during the continuance of this 
waiting suspense with myself. Her unusual fer- 
vour and tone of voice seemed to say, that she 
was quite unconscious of the presence of any one 
besides the God whom she supplicated. After 
continuing much longer than usual in prayer, 
she arose, and was prepared for the repose of 
the night. But her fervour of spirit had not in 



CONVERSION OF CHILDREN. 35 

the least abated. As she threw herself on the 
bed, she expressed her unwillingness to give up, 
by saying, imploringly, ' ! ma, keep talking to 
me!' 

" I laid myself down beside her. 0, the un- 
utterable interest of that hour! I felt that her 
inmost soul was inexpressibly athirst for salva- 
tion. The conviction, with increasing certainty, 
possessed my heart, that she was about to be 
born of the Spirit. And who but a parent, simi- 
larly situated, could imagine feelings of like in- 
terest ? That our child should thus, in her infant 
days, be born of the Spirit, and adopted into the 
family of Christ ! The honour seemed too great, 
and to grasp it seemed to require the exercise 
of faith correspondingly great. 

" It was but a short time before she was again 
in the attitude of a suppliant beside the bed. 
With my eye fixed upon Jesus, and my heart 
continually pleading the promise, ' I will instruct 
thee,' I endeavoured to direct this precious lamb 
to the fold of Christ, by showing her the simpli- 
city of the way of faith, while my own soul was 
every moment gathering increasing strength. 

11 Soon afterward I said, ' My daughter, I will 
pray silently, and you may also continue asking 
the Lord, and ! I am sure he will give you a 
new heart P How sweet was the assurance to my 



36 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

soul, that the Holy Spirit would take of the 
things of God, and reveal them even unto babes. 
The sentiment, 'Not by might, nor by power, 
but by my Spirit, saith the Lord/ never more 
thoroughly penetrated my heart. There was 
one point in my travail of soul for her, where 
my faith most consciously laid hold. It was 
while saying, ' She is already Thine !' and now, 
by the remembrance of that hour, when she was 
most solemnly given away in covenant to Thee, 
and Thou didst condescend to assure my heart 
so fully of thine acceptance of the offering, let 
her case come up in remembrance before thee. 
Thus far she is already thine — numbered with 
thy covenant people ; and now wilt thou not give 
her to feel most assuredly that she is taken into 
covenant relation with thee? May her young 
heart know that thou dost accept and seal her 
thine. 

"It was while thus pleading that my faith 
most distinctly laid hold. I pause here; for 
here is the burden of my heart in the recordings 
of this hour. God is a covenant-keeping God. 
His name is Jehovah. And by this name would 
he now be known and glorified in his covenant 
people, and their seed after them. A solemn, un- 
fathomed responsibility rests upon God's chosen 
ones relative to their children. Of this I had 



CONVERSION OF CHILDREN. 37 

never been so fully aware, until passing through 
the exercise here given. 

" She is already Thine ! Here was the point 
where my faith, with an unyielding grasp, laid 
hold. It was here my bounding spirit could say, 

* My prayer hath power with God ; the grace 
Unspeakable I now receive.' 

" So sure was I now that what I had asked 
was according to the will of God, and that I had 
the petition I had desired of him, that I con- 
tinued a moment longer praising God for the 
answer, though my heart assured me that my 
dear child was longing for me to rise, in order 
to communicate her joy. 

"As I arose, she exclaimed, with thrilling 
emotion, ' 0, ma, I feel as if I had a new heart ! 
0, I think I have ! I am almost sure ! O, I am 
sure ! Yes, I am sure P She then began praising 
the Lord, with expressions altogether beyond her 
former capacity. I could not but regard her 
singularly mature expressions, so beyond her 
former self, as a development of renewed mental 
powers. A new nature had been given, and my 
condescending heavenly Father permitted me to 
have such conclusive testimony that my heart 
may ever say, relative to her change, — 
* Meridian evidence puts doubt to flight/ 

* ' 0, praise the Lord P was for some time the 



38 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

language of every breath. ' How truly the hea- 
ven-inspired language of the new-born spirit !* 
thought I, as I listened to one but little over six 
years of age, who was unaccustomed to mingle 
with those similarly exercised with herself. 

"From one expression I had reason to con- 
clude that her mind had some time previously 
been exercised relative to this change. It was 
this : ' O, ma, how much I have of late thought 
of those words you published a long time ago !' 
' What were they, my daughter ?' She quickly, 
and with much emphasis, replied, — 

" ' Give me thy heart !' we hear Him say ; 
Lord, we thy mandate will obey, 
We come, to tread the narrow way, 
To be thy faithful followers ! 

" She then began to sing in sweet, and, I think, 
as lovely strains as ever I heard, to the tune of 
Old Hundred, the Doxology : — 

4 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow ; 
Praise him, all creatures here below ; 
Praise him above, ye heavenly host, 
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost V 

u I accompanied her voice, with a heart bound- 
ing with unutterable joy. It really seemed to 
me that it was not in unmeaning, or unanswered 
invocation, that she had called upon the heavenly 
host to assist in ascribing praise to the Father, 
Son, and Holy Ghost. After she had ceased 



CONVERSION OF CHILDREN. 39 

hymning the words, she returned, and, in solemn 
measure, said, ' Yes ! — 

'Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, 
Praise him, all creatures here below ! ' 

Yes, everybody ought to praise him P She 
paused, and then said, ' ! I feel as if I wanted 
to tell everybody. ! I could tell a stranger. 
Everybody ought to love the Saviour. I love 
him with my whole heart. 0, how happy I am !' " 

" Her dear father was absent. But she was 
so desirous to communicate the joy of her new- 
born spirit to him, that I sent for him. My heart 
and eyes fill at the recollection of the scene when 
this happy father was permitted to clasp to his 
heart his rejoicing daughter — his new-born child. 
The remembrance of the day of her birth into 
the natural world bears but little comparison. 
To witness the answer to what had been the in- 
creasing desire of his heart from the earliest ex- 
istence of his child, ! this was happiness not 
to be described. 

" I thought well to explain to her how she 
might retain the blessing, and said — ' Now, it was 
by giving your heart away to God that you re- 
ceived a new heart ; and the only way to keep it, 
is to keep giving/ She caught the words from 
my lips, and said, * Yes, keep giving it, giving it 
all the time.' 



40 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

" About two hours had passed, and she again 
lay down for repose. I placed the light in a 
convenient position, and lay down beside her, 
with the blessed Bible in my hand, and began 
turning over the leaves, with the intention of 
selecting portions suited to her state. ' What are 
you looking for, dear ma?' ? For something good/ 
I responded. 'OP said she 'it is all good/ 
While I read, the word of the Lord seemed in- 
deed to be sweet to her taste. 

" After reading for some time, and she had 
ceased to respond, I supposed she had fallen 
asleep, and ceased reading aloud at the words, 
\ We love Him because he first loved us.' She 
started up, and, with much interest, inquired, 
' Why do you not read on, dear ma ?' ' Because I 
thought you had fallen asleep, or were sleepy/ 
' 0/ said she, with much emphasis, ' we love Him, 
because he first loved us ! We did not love him, 
but he loved us !' 

" It is now the third day since her change, and 
she still gives blessed evidence of its reality. 
She has always been very precious to us ; but 
now, a new and yet more endearing tie binds her 
more closely to our hearts. Hallelujah ! The Lord 
God omnipotent reigneth !" 



TRAINING OF CHILDREN. 41 



CHAPTER III. 

RELIGIOUS TRAINING OF CHILDREN. 

On the early religious training of children much 
has been said and written, and much more 
might be. It is a subject that should command 
the attention of the master-spirits of every age, 
and even then it would not be exhausted. It is 
one on which the light of Divine revelation should 
be brought fully to bear. This must be done, 
or all instruction will be dark, and all efforts 
abortive. 

Rev. J. A. James, in his " Church in Earnest," 
has a chapter on " Family Religion," from 
which we make the following extract : — " There 
must be a right understanding, and a constant 
recollection of the nature and design of the do- 
mestic constitution. Families are the nurseries 
both of the State and of the Church ; and if this 
be true, then the design of the domestic economy 
must be to form the good citizen and the true 
Christian. No doubt the present and future 
welfare of the individual members of each house- 
hold, then' right conduct towards each other, 
and their own good training for any domestic 
relations they may sustain, are the proximate 



42 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

objects to be sought; but the ultimate end is 
the formation of character in which patriotism, 
loyalty, and piety, shall be beautifully united 
and harmonized. Well-instructed, well-ordered, 
and well-governed families, are the springs 
which, from their retirements, send forth the 
tributary streams that make up, by their conflu- 
ence, the majestic flow of national greatness and 
prosperity. No state can be prosperous where 
family order and subordination are generally 
neglected ; every one will be prosperous, what- 
ever be its form of political government, where 
these are maintained. Disorderly families are 
the sources of vicious characters, pestilent crimi- 
nals, factious demagogues, turbulent rebels, and 
tyrannical oppressors — who are their neigh- 
bours' torment and their country's scourge. 

" But every family has also a sacred character 
belonging to it, which ought ever to be sus- 
tained ; I mean, it is a preparatory school, both 
for the Church militant and the Church tri- 
umphant, where the immortal soul is to be 
trained up, by the influence of a pious educa- 
tion, for the fellowship of saints on earth, and 
for the felicities of a higher association still, in 
heaven. The mother, as she presses her babe 
to her bosom, or sees the little group sporting 
around the hearth ; and the father, as he col- 



TRAINING OF CHILDREN. 43 

lects the circle round his chair or his table, as 
he directs their education, or selects for them 
their future occupation ; should never forget to 
say to themselves, ' These are given to us, 
that we may train them up to be useful mem- 
bers of society, and holy members of the Church. 
God and our country will • demand them at our 
hands. Yea, the destinies of the world will, in 
some measure, be affected by them, and the 
present and all future generations of mankind 
have claims upon us in reference to the training 
of our children.' Yes, those children are some- 
thing more than living domestic play-things ; 
something more than animated household or- 
naments, who, by their elegant accomplishments 
and graceful manners, shall adorn the habita- 
tion, and constitute a father's pride, a mother's 
boast : they are the future generation of our 
country, and the next race of friends or enemies 
to the cause of God on earth. The family, 
then, I repeat, is the mould of the State and 
the Church, — where the members of both are 
cast and formed, — and this ought never, for a 
single day, to be forgotten. 

" Delightful as it may be to hear the infant 
prattle; to witness the gambols of childhood's 
joyous years ; to mark the growing development 
of faculty, and the gradual formation of character, 



44 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

during youth's advance to manhood ; interesting 
as it is to see the slow unfolding of the human 
flower, — a solemn sense of responsibility ought, 
with all this, to come over the mind. It is an 
awful expression, 'lama parent !' for what is 
this but saying, 'I have immortal souls in- 
trusted to my care, whose destiny for eternity 
will be affected by my conduct?' Fond mo- 
ther, look at that babe hanging on thy breast, 
and those other children sporting around thy 
knee ; and thou, the father of the group, watch- 
ing, with a parent's and a husband's swelling 
heart, thy wife and the mother of thy children, 
and indulging only joyous emotions and sport- 
ive expressions, pause, ponder, reflect ! millions 
of ages from that moment of domestic ecstasy, 
every one of those little happy creatures will be 
either in heaven or in hell — will be a seraph or a 
fiend — will be enduring inconceivable torment, 
or enjoying ineffable felicity ; and much, as to 
which it shall be, will depend upon you. Over- 
whelming thought ! Is it true ? Can it be true ? 
It is ; and you admit it, at least by profession. 
Then, I say again, how tremendous the respon- 
sibility of a parent! This is earnestness, to 
have this fact written on our very heart ; to see 
it ever standing out in visible characters before 
our eyes ; to carry it with us everywhere, and 



TRAINING OF CHILDREN. 45 

into everything ; to be ever saying to ourselves, 
* My child is immortal, and his eternal destiny, 
in great measure, depends upon me. I shall be 
the means, perhaps, of raising him to heaven, or 
sinking him to perdition. I am educating him to be 
an associate with the devil and his angels, in ever- 
lasting fire ; or a companion with the innumerable 
company of angels, in glory everlasting. O God, 
help me ! for who is sufficient for these things ?" 

As it is not our object to theorize much in 
this solemn matter, we will endeavour to bring 
up from the history of the past, for our further 
consideration, some interesting facts, incidents, 
and testimonies, which shall place before the 
mind of our readers a bird's-eye view of what 
constitutes a religious training of the young. 

Mrs. Palmer, in her book entitled, " Faith 
and its Effects," has some remarks in reference 
to our present subject, which we trust will be 
profitable to the reader. She says, in reply to 
inquiries of a friend about her family manage- 
ment, etc., as follows : — " We have deemed it 
important, 

1 Xever to take the harsher way, 
When love may do the deed.' 

" And we have endeavoured to cherish in their 
young hearts that love and confidence which 
you observe. It is certainly far more desirable 



46 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

to rule by love than by fear, if such a thing may 
be. And it is my opinion that this may be 
done to a degree quite beyond what many pa- 
rents may imagine. God is love ; and it is our 
earnest prayer, that the atmosphere in which 
our children live and move may be that of love. 
We have dedicated our house to God, and be- 
lieve he hears our prayer when we ask that his 
presence may abide with us, so that every one 
that enters our dwelling may feel the hallowing 
influence of the Spirit of holiness. 

" Before the routine of domestic duty for the 
day commences, I feel it a blessed privilege to 
present each member of our household indivi- 
dually before God. After having presented 
myself, with all my interests, temporal and 
spiritual, afresh to him through Christ, I daily 
plead the promise, e I will pour out my Spirit 
upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thy off- 
spring. ' I try to claim the fulfilment of this 
promise, and believe myself successful. 

"We have dedicated our children to God, 
with an intention of devoting them in some 
special manner to his service, and are endeavour- 
ing to have their moral and religious training all 
directed to this point — usefulness in the Church 
of Christ. We believe that the Lord, in some 
special manner, recognizes the surrender, and 



TRAINING OF CHILDREN. 47 

gives the more direct influences of the Holy 
Spirit as a consequence of their being set apart 
for his service. They love to talk about spirit- 
ual things, and from the dawn of reason have 
manifested much interest, and sometimes deep 
emotions, while I conversed with them." 

Speaking of her little boy, she says, — " A few 

months since, little W asked this question, 

' What is it to give my heart to God ?' Bishop 

H was with us, and he took the child on 

his knee, and with most heavenly sweetness told 
him, in a manner suited to his capacity, just 
what it was to give his heart to God. After 

which, W , in a solemn and impressive 

manner, said, ' I give my heart to Jesus Christ.' 
This was a memorable period, and he since says 
that he has given his heart to God, and I would 
not dare say he has not done so. When he is 
asked, as is often the case with such little crea- 
tures, ' What do you intend to be V His almost 
invariable reply, whether to worldlings or oth- 
ers, is, ' I mean to be a minister, if God will 
make me one J 

" We have set him apart for that work, with 
the prayerful desire that he may be called of 
God, as was Aaron. ' The harvest is great, but 
the labourers are few.' In view of the need of 
faithful labourers, it seems most reasonable, and 



48 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

not unauthorized by the spirit of the word, that 
pious parents should thus set their children 
apart, not with the idea that they are to decide 
the matter, but to order their entire moral and 
religious training in such a manner as may best 
fit them for the service of the sanctuary ; and 
then, if the thus consecrated one is not sure in 
after life that he is ' moved by the Holy Ghost 
to preach the gospel, 'he will, by pious culture, 
have been fitted for other work in the vineyard 
of the Lord. 

" But if a case should occur in which a person 
thus dedicated to the ministry should not be 
called, it would be unlike any case I have yet 

met with. In reference to little W , we 

cannot help treasuring up in our hearts these 
indications that he has received something like 
a baptism into the spirit of what may be his 
work, and we take courage. This morning he 
said, ' I wish I was in ' Exico,' (Mexico ;) they 
fight there !' I felt troubled at his saying what 
seemed so unlike himself; and chidingly said, 

' Why, W , they are wicked there because 

they fight, and if they do not take care they will 
soon all go to the bad place together.' 'I 
thought I might go and tell them that it is 
toiclced to fight,' he replied. On Sabbath morn- 
ing a boy was crying ' Sunday Morning News' 



TRAINING OF CHILDREN. 49 

past the door. W came to me with a 

saddened countenance, and said, 'Do you not 
think I had better run and tell him that it is 
wicked to sell papers on Sunday ? it may be he 
does not know how wicked it is.' This is but a 
specimen of the way in which he often talks. 
I think you will with us conclude, that God is 
not unmindful of the consecration which we 
have made of our children to his service. And 
it is because we think this a most important 
matter that I have so much at length answered 
your inquiries.' ' 

Why, we would ask, may not a praying 
mother of our day present the son of her desire 
as her choicest offering to God for the perform- 
ance of temple-service, as did Hannah of ancient 
days? If such offerings were more frequent, 
we should doubtless have more thoroughly fur- 
nished ambassadors for Christ than we now 
have. Think of this, ye praying parents, espe- 
cially when ye pray the Lord to thrust forth 
labourers into his harvest. 

From the Life of Rev. Jonathan Edwards, we 
learn that he was careful and thorough in the 
government of his children. He took special 
care to begin this work in season, and kept a 
watchful eye over them, that he might admonish 
them of the first wrong step, and to direct 

4 



50 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

them in the right way. He would also labour 
with them singly and particularly about their 
soul's concerns, warning, instructing, and di- 
recting, as he saw occasion. 

His wife likewise added her holy example 
and precepts to his in the training of their chil- 
dren. "If any correction was needed, it was 
not her manner to give it in a passion. And 
when she had occasion to reprove and rebuke, 
she would do it in a few words, without heat 
and noise, with all calmness and gentleness of 
mind. She need speak but once, and she was 
cheerfully obeyed; murmuring and answering 
again was not known among them. . As she was 
sensible that, in many respects, the chief care of 
forming the minds of children naturally lies on 
mothers — as they are most with their children 
at their most pliable age, when they commonly 
receive impressions by which they are very 
much formed for life — so she was very careful 
to do her part in this important business. And 
when she met with a special difficulty in this 
matter, or foresaw any, she was wont to apply 
to Mr. Edwards for advice and assistance ; and 
on such occasions they would both attend to it as 
a matter of great importance. She thought that 
parents had a great and important duty to do 
towards their children before they were capable 



TRAINING OF CHILDREN. 51 

of government and instruction. For them she 
constantly and earnestly prayed, and bore them 
on her heart before God in all her secret and 
most solemn addresses to him, and that even be- 
fore they were born. 

" Happy are those parents, who, like this pious 
pair, are equally yoked ; and disposed to unite 
their authority, counsels, prayers, and experi- 
ence, in the religious education of their children.'' 

The following extract is from Dr. Adam 
Clarke's Memoirs of the Wesley family. 

"Mrs. Wesley (mother of the justly cele- 
brated Eev. Messrs John and Charles Wesley) 
was assiduous in teaching her children their duty 
to God and to their parents. She had nine- 
teen children, most of whom lived to be edu- 
cated. All these were educated hy herself. 
Their time of going to bed, rising in the morn- 
ing, dressing, eating, learning, and exercise, she 
managed by rule, which was never suffered to 
be broken, unless in case of sickness. From her, 
Mr. J. Wesley derived all that knowledge in the 
education of children, which he has detailed so 
simply, and so successfully enforced. It has 
been wondered that a man who had no children 
of his own, could have known so well how they 
should be managed and educated ; but that 
wonder will at once cease, when it is recollected 



52 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

who was his instructress in all things, during his 
infancy and youth. Mrs. Wesley had little dif- 
ficulty in breaking the wills of her children. 
They were early brought, by rational means, 
under a mild yoke ; they were perfectly obse- 
quious to their parents ; and were taught to 
wait their decision in everything they were 
to have, and in everything they were to per- 
form. They were also taught to ask a bless- 
ing upon their food, to behave quietly at family 
prayers, and to reverence the Sabbath. They 
were never permitted to command the servants, 
or to use any words of authority in their ad- 
dresses to them. Mrs. Wesley charged the 
servants to do nothing for any of the children, 
unless they asked it with humility and respect ; 
and the children were duly informed that the 
servants had such orders. * Molly, Robert, be 
pleased to do so and so,' was the usual method 
of request, both from the sons and the daugh- 
ters ; and, because the children behaved thus 
decently, the domestics reverenced and loved 
them. They were never permitted to contend 
with each other; whatever differences arose, 
the parents decided, and their decision was 
never disputed. The consequence was, there 
were few misunderstandings among them, and 
no unbrotherly or vindictive passions ; and they 



TRAINING OF CHILDREN. 53 

had the common fame of being the most loving 
family in the county of Lincoln ! How much 
evil may be prevented, and how much good may 
be done, by judicious management in the educa- 
tion of children ! Mrs. Wesley had explained 
her own views and conduct in a letter, dated 
July 24th, 1732 ; part of which is here given. 
'In order to form the minds of children, the 
first thing to be done is to conquer their will, and 
bring them to an obedient temper. To inform 
the understanding is a work of time, and must, 
with children, proceed by slow degrees, as they 
are able to bear it. But the subjecting the will 
is a thing that must be done at once, and the 
sooner the better; for, by neglecting timely 
correction, they will contract a stubbornness and 
obstinacy which are hardly ever after conquered, 
and never without using such severity as would 
be as painful to me as to the child. In the esteem 
of the world, they pass for kind and indulgent, 
whom I call cruel, parents ; who permit their 
children to get habits which they know must be 
afterwards broken. Nay, some are so stupidly 
fond, as in sport to teach their children to do 
things, which, in a while after, they have se- 
verely beaten them for doing. When a child 
is corrected, it must be conquered; and this 
will be no hard matter to do, if it be not grown 



54 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

head-strong by too much indulgence. And 
when the will of a child is totally subdued, and 
it is brought to revere and stand in awe of its 
parents, then a great many childish follies and 
inadvertencies must be passed by. Some 
should be overlooked and taken no notice of, 
and others mildly reproved; but no wilful 
transgression ought ever to be forgiven children 
without chastisement, less or more, as the nature 
and circumstances of the offence may require. / 
insist upon conquering the wills of children betimes, 
because this is the only strong and rational foun- 
dation of a religious education, without which 
both precept and example will be ineffectual. 
But when this is thoroughly done, then a child 
is capable of being governed by the reason and 
piety of its parents, till its own understanding 
comes to maturity, and the principles of religion 
have taken root in the mind. I cannot yet dis- 
miss the subject. As self-will is the root of all 
sin and misery, so whatever cherishes this in 
children, ensures their after wretchedness and 
irreligion; whatever checks and mortifies it, 
promotes their future happiness and piety. 
This is still more evident, if we further consider, 
that religion is nothing else than the doing the 
will of God, and not our own; that the one 
grand impediment to our temporal and eternal 



TRAINING OF CHILDREN. 55 

happiness being this selfish will, no indulgences 
of it can be trivial, no denial unprofitable ; so 
that the parent who studies to subdue it in his 
child, works together with God in the renewing 
and saving a soul. The parent who indulges it 
does the devil's work ; makes religion impracti- 
cable ; salvation unattainable ; and does all 
that in him lies to damn his child, soul and 
body, forever/ " 

We will now present the reader a few extracts 
from "Barker's Parent's Monitor." They are 
abridged from Dr. Cotton Mather's "Essays to Do 
Good :" — " Let me daily pray for my children, 
with the greatest constancy and fervency ; yea, 
let me daily mention each of them by name be- 
fore the Lord. I would importunately beg for 
all suitable blessings. Most earnestly would 
I plead that promise in their behalf, • Your hea- 
venly Father will give his Holy Spirit to them 
that ask him.' O happy children, if, by asking, 
I can obtain the Holy Spirit for them ! 

" I would early entertain my children with 
delightful stories out of the Bible. In familiar 
conversation I would go through the Bible, 
when the olive-plants around my table are ca- 
pable of being so watered ; but I would always 
conclude the history by some lessons of piety 
to be inferred from them. 



56 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

" I would be anxious, till I may be able to 
say of my children, Behold they pray ! I will 
show them the state of their own souls ; and, 
on every discovery, will inquire of them, what 
they think ought now to be their prayer. I 
will direct them to texts of Scripture, to form 
their desires in prayer. When they have heard 
a sermon, I will ask them what they have now 
to pray for. I will solemnly charge them to 
pray in private, and often say to each of them, 
' Child, I hope you do not forget my charge to 
your about secret prayer, — your crime is very 
great if you do.' 

" I will assign them such books to read as I 
judge most profitable, obliging them to give 
me some account of what they read. I will 
also direct them to write out such things as 
may be of the greatest benefit to them. I will 
particularly require them now and then to com- 
pose a prayer, and bring it to me, that so I 
may discern what sense they have of their own 
everlasting interests. 

" When the children are of a proper age, I will 
sometimes take them with me alone, and con- 
verse with them about the state of their souls, 
their experiences, their proficiency, their tempta- 
tions : and then pray with them, earnestly en- 
treating that the Lord would bestow his grace 



TRAINING OF CHILDREN. 57 

upon them ; and thus make them witnesses of 
the agony with which I am travailing to see 
the image of Christ formed in them. Certainly 
they will never forget such exercises as these. 

" I will be watchful and cautious about the 
companions of my children. If they are in 
danger of being insnared by vicious company, 
I will earnestly pluck them * as brands out of 
the fire/ and will try to procure for them fit 
and useful associates. 

" When my children are in trouble, whether 
sickness or otherwise, I will take advantage of 
the occasion to set before them the evil of sin, 
the cause of all our trouble ; and will represent 
to them how fearful a thing it will be to be cast 
among the damned, who are in unceasing and 
endless trouble. I will set before them the 
benefit of an interest in Christ, by which their 
trouble will be sanctified to them, and they will 
be prepared for death, and for fulness of joy in 
a happy eternity. 

"I would sometimes oblige the children to 
retire and ponder on that question, ' What 
should I wish to have done, if I were now dying V 
After they have given me their own answer, I 
will take occasion from it to inculcate upon 
them the lessons of godliness. I would also 
direct them seriously to realize their own ap- 



58 CHRISTIAN EFFOKT. 

pearance before the awful judgment-seat of the 
Lord Jesus Christ, and consider what they have 
to plead that they may not be sent away into 
everlasting punishment, and what they have to 
plead that they may be admitted into the holy 
city ; I would instruct them what plea to pre- 
pare; show them the gift of infinite grace to 
the distressed, unworthy sinner, through Jesus 
Christ, to be received with a thankful faith ; then 
show them how to prove that their faith is genu- 
ine, by their continual endeavour in all things 
to please Him who is to be their judge, and to 
serve his kingdom and interest in the world.' ' 

The following extract is from " Dr. D wight's 
System of Theology :" — 

" Every child should be taught from the be- 
ginning to fear that great and glorious Being, to 
whom he owes his existence, his blessings, and 
his hopes. This will tend to secure him from 
sin ; strengthen him against the force of tempta- 
tion, and keep him in the paths of righteousness. 
Inseparably connected with this is a sense of ac- 
countableness. Every child should know, as soon 
as he is capable of knowing, that he is a moral 
being, in a state of probation for his conduct ; 
that God is an eye-witness of all he thinks, 
speaks, or does ; and that for all he will be call- 
ed to judgment. Every child should soon be 



TRAINING OF CHILDREN. 59 

brought to the knowledge of the Saviour. A pro- 
found and reverential regard to truth should be 
awakened in the mind of a child from the moment 
when he begins to assert anything. Let a rigid 
example of speaking truth and of fulfilling pro- 
mises be set before him by all with whom he 
corresponds, especially by the parents and family. 

" He who wishes his child to become pious, 
should make it a prime object in their education 
to check all their inordinate passions ; and should, 
with equal anxiety, teach them to check, restrain, 
and subdue themselves. Usually, this work may 
in early childhood be easily done, but unhappily 
is too often neglected. 

" The passions in the mind, like weeds in a gar- 
den, though tender and feeble at first, soon 
strengthen themselves to such a degree, that to 
subdue them becomes difficult indeed. 

" Children should he guarded, and taught to 
guard themselves, with the utmost care, against 
temptations. They should be warned and restrain- 
ed from going to places of evil resort. Give them 
an early, strong, and habitual expression of their 
exposure to temptation, accompanied by explicit 
information of the evils which will certainly re- 
sult from yielding to its influence. This will 
prove a safeguard to the child when the parent 
cannot be present to warn him of danger. 



60 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

" Children should he taught by example. This 
has a mighty influence on every part of education. 
Children do little besides imitating others. Pa- 
rents who read, will have reading children. In- 
dustrious parents will have industrious children. 
Lying parents will have lying children. Exam- 
ple, therefore, is of the highest possible conse- 
quence in this important concern. 

" Children should be led to exert their own 
mind and talents. Without the active exercise 
of its powers, the mind cannot acquire vigour." 

From " Baxter's Christian Directory" we make 
the following extract. Addressing parents he 
says : " You must be holy persons, if you would 
be holy governors of your families. An enemy 
of God will not govern a family for God ; nor an 
enemy of holiness, set up a holy order in his 
house. To this end, be sure that your own souls 
be entirely subjected unto God, and that you 
more accurately obey his laws than you expect 
any inferior should obey your commands. Be 
sure that you lay up your treasure in heaven, 
and make the enjoyment of God in glory to be 
the ultimate commanding end both of the affairs 
and government of your family, and all things 
else with which you are intrusted. Maintain 
God's authority in your family more carefully 
than your own. Your own is but his. 



TRAINING OF CHILDREN. 61 

" Let spiritual love to your family be predomi- 
nant ; and let your care be greatest for the saving 
of their souls, and your compassion greatest for 
their spiritual miseries. Let your family neither 
be kept in idleness and flesh-pleasing, nor yet 
overwhelmed with such a multitude of business, 
as shall take up and distract their minds, divert- 
ing and unfitting them for holy things. As much 
as possible, settle a constant order of all your 
business, that every ordinary work may know its 
time, and confusion may not shut out godliness." 

One more extract which we give is from an- 
other learned divine ; he says, " Believe it, every 
governor of a family is as deeply charged with 
the souls of those under his government, as any 
pastor is with the souls of that flock which is 
committed to his charge; nor will the public 
ministry become fruitful, if that which is sown in 
public be not watered in private by conference, 
examination, and good instruction. What can 
we more impute the unprofitableness of our 
ministry to, than to masters' and parents' neglect 
of their duties ? You call our congregations our 
charge ; and so they are ; so are your families 
also your charge." 

Thus we may present testimonies from the 
learned and the good of every age; who are 
unanimous in their declarations to the importance 



62 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

of the early religious training of children. Hav- 
ing preferred the testimony of such witnesses to 
our own remarks, we feel a confidence and plea- 
sure in saying to those who may have read these 
extracts before, that they will find it worth their 
while to read them again. Such topics can never 
become insipid to those parents who realize their 
solemn responsibilities to God and their offspring. 

O, could I emulate the zeal 
Thou, Lord, dost to thy servants bear ! 

The troubles, griefs, and burdens feel, 
Of souls intrusted to my care ! 

That taught, according to thy will, 

To rule my family aright, 
I may th' appointed charge fulfil, 

With all my heart, with all my might. 

In daily prayer to God commend 

The souls whom Christ expired to save, 

And think how soon my sway may end, 
And all be equal in the grave. 



SABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHERS. 63 



CHAPTER IV. 
SABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHERS. 

In the following chapter we purpose to call the 
reader's attention to the Sabbath- school, the de- 
sign of which is to train immortal minds for rise- 
fulness on earth, and eternal happiness in heaven. 
This design should always be kept in view in the 
Sabbath- school, and everything else made sub- 
servient to it. 

The first thing to be sought in behalf of the 
child is, its conversion to Christ ; till this change 
is effected, the great end of religious training is 
not accomplished. The Divine command is, to 
" seek first the kingdom of God and its righteous- 
ness ;" and, " Suffer little children, and forbid 
them not, to come unto me, for of such is the 
kingdom of heaven." And again, by way of 
encouragement, it is written, " They that seek me 
early shall find me." The earlier these inspired 
instructions are complied with, the better. Chil- 
dren, as well as adults, are possessed of a carnal 
mind, which cannot discern or comprehend spi- 
ritual truths till it is renewed by the Spirit of 
grace. "The natural man," says the apostle, 
" receive th not the things of the Spirit of God, 



64 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

for they are foolishness unto him, neither can Tie 
know them, because they are spiritually discern- 
ed." Hence we have an important reason for 
early conversions, that the child may be enabled 
to discern and receive " the things of the Spirit 
of God." Another important reason why early 
conversion should take place, is the uncertainty 
of human life. Is it not then highly improper 
for Christian teachers to sutler their charges to 
remain for one week quietly in their sins ? May 
not the blood of these young souls be required 
at the hands of their teachers ? fearful thought ! 
Again another reason for early conversion is, that 
it will be easier than at any other time of life. 

" .' Tis easier work if we begin 
To seek the Lord betimes 
While sinners that grow old in sin 
Are harden' d in their crimes. ,, 

Again, another reason for early conversion may 
be found in the fact, that such generally make 
better Christians through life, than those who 
are converted at a later age. Rev. John 
Todd, in his " Sabbath-School Teacher," says : 
" O ! were I to take my choice for helpers in the 
labours of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, I would 
rather have a church committed to me, made up 
of converted children from the Sabbath-school, 
and thus trained up for the service of God, than 



SABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHERS. 65 

to have a church of a thousand members, formal, 
stiff, cold, and barren as the aged oak. Blessed 
is the man who shall be the instrument of the 
conversion of a single child ; he adds a bright 
star to the moral heavens. Here must we raise 
up our pillars, here our polished stones, here our 
strong men, and here those who, on seraph wing, 
w r ill hasten to declare the name and love of Christ 
to the very ends of the earth." 

Some object to early conversions, fearing that 
such will be more likely to backslide and dis- 
honour the cause of religion. There has been 
a time when this opinion was a prevalent one. 
A few years only have transpired since the 
Church has had confidence enough in the piety 
and stability of children and youth, to admit 
them within her pale. This was a most delusive, 
fatal error, — one that is in opposition to reason 
and Scripture. Must a child serve Satan while 
it is young, for fear it may do so in after life ? 
The wise man says, " Train up a child in the 
way he should go." We have the word of God 
to bear us out in saying that, as a general rule, 
children trained up in the way of piety will not, 
when they are old, depart from it. Let those 
who have the care of children know this, and be 
encouraged to labour for their conversion. 

Next to the conversion of the child, the for- 
5 



66 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

mation of right habits is a matter of the great- 
est importance. The first of these should be a 
devotional habit, in which the child may grow in 
grace and in all spiritual knowledge. Seasons 
for private prayer, meditation, and study of the 
Sacred Scriptures, should be statedly observed. 
The Sabbath-school teacher cannot be too faith- 
ful in giving proper instructions on this point. 
These may be made very pleasant and profitable 
exercises to the youngest child. " Barker's Pa- 
rent's Monitor" has the following sketch: — 

" As I left my room one lovely morning, I was 
much surprised to find my favourite little Alfred, 
at the farther end of the passage : instead of run- 
ning to me with his usual affectionate salutation, 
he was sullenly destroying a beautiful rose, and 
surveying me with a reproachful and dejected 
countenance. Struck with this unusual sight, I 
tenderly inquired the cause of his distress, and 
prevailed upon him to return with me to my 
chamber, when he at length revealed the source 
of his unhappiness. 

" ' You told me last night, that if I prayed to 
God, he would make me good and happy ; and 
before I went to sleep, when nobody was in the 
room, I rose, and did pray unto him ; but I do 
not feel at all more happy this morning, nor any 
more inclined to be good than I did yesterday/ 



SABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHERS. 67 

" ' Can you tell me, my love, how you felt 
when you prayed, and what you said V 

" After a pause he replied, ' I felt afraid of 
God, and thought he would not notice me ; but 
because you said he would, I resolved to try ; 
and, as nearly as I can remember, I used these 
words : ' Lord, thou art a very great God, 
and able to do everything : I beseech thee to 
look upon me, a little child, and make me good 
and happy forever and ever. Amen.' Then I 
lay down again, but did not feel comfortable, 
and it was a long time before I could go to 
sleep ; and so, after Sally had dressed me this 
morning, I would not kneel down to pray at all.' 

" ' Well, my dear, I am glad you have told 
me this ; I can now assist you in inquiring why 
your prayer was not answered. And, first, my 
Alfred forgot what I had so often told him, how 
very good, and kind, and gracious our heavenly 
Father is, and therefore he did not feel proper 
love to him, and confidence in him : secondly, 
he did not confess his sin, and endeavour to be 
truly penitent and humbled on account of it: 
and, thirdly, he did not consider that he was a 
great sinner, and utterly undeserving the least 
mercy ; that it is for the sake of Jesus Christ 
alone, who is infinitely worthy, that our prayers 
can be acceptable to God, and therefore we must 



68 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

implore every blessing in his name, and believe 
that through him we shall receive pardon and 
grace ; and never, my dear, forget to pray for 
the Holy Spirit to come into your heart, and 
make you better, and then all your thoughts, 
words, and actions, will be better too.' 

" A silence of a few minutes ensued, during 
which Alfred was evidently very unhappy in his 
mind : at length, bursting into tears, and throw- 
ing his arms around me, he exclaimed, 'Will 
this good God let me approach him now, after I 
have had such a wicked thought that I would 
never pray again V 

"'O, my beloved child, he is indeed more 
ready to hear than you can be to pray, nor will 
he fail to answer, if you go in humble sincerity, 
imploring mercy for the sake of his dear Son — ; 
that Lover of little children such* as you. He 
will give you grace, and train you up for glory.' 

" We were both overcome ; Alfred retired, to 
follow the advice given him, while my earnest 
prayer ascended to the great Shepherd of Israel 
for the Lamb of the flock. 

" During the day I watched him with uncom- 
mon interest, and observed a peculiar sweetness 
in the whole of his deportment, which, to me, 
was very touching, although I was then a stran- 
ger to what had passed in his mind ; for an op- 



SABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHERS. 69 

portunity of speaking with him privately did not 
occur until evening, when he followed me to the 
arbour, and, without waiting for an invitation, 
threw himself into my arms, exclaiming, ' 0, how 
I love you !' I replied, ' My dear, I believe 
that; but what makes you express your affec- 
tion so particularly now ? 

" * You have taught me,' said he, ' what I 
never knew before, and I will now tell you all 
about it.' 

" * Do, my love.' 

"After a moment's hesitation, he proceeded : — 

" ' After you had talked with me this morning 
I went into my room, and knelt down : as soon 
as I could speak for crying, (for you know I was 
very unhappy then,) I prayed that God would 
take away my naughty heart, and give me his 
Holy Spirit ; and not for my sake, but for the 
sake of Jesus : and then I had such a pleasant 
feeling ; I thought that Jesus loved me, and that 
he would keep me from sinning so again, and he 
seemed so good and kind that I could not help 
loving him ; and I loved everybody more than I 
did before, but especially you, for sending me to 
the Saviour.' 

" It is impossible to say how deeply this rela- 
tion affected me, given, as it was, with the most 
artless simplicity." 



70 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

Next to a habit of devotion, is the habit of 
being diligent and prompt in the discharge of 
every little duty which may devolve upon a child. 
This lays the foundation for prosperity and use- 
fulness through all succeeding time. All possi- 
ble pains should be taken to encourage the 
young heart to emulate the great, the wise, the 
good, in this particular. 

Another blessed habit is that of doing good ; 
negative goodness is not enough ; there must be 
a positive, active goodness. To teach and enforce 
this habit, all the piety, the skill, and perseve- 
rance of the most accomplished teacher will be 
requisite. The thousand ways in which this may 
be done, cannot here be enumerated ; but we 
may learn them all in the teachings and exam- 
ple of Him who " went about doing good." 

A few suggestions for the benefit of teachers 
may not be out of place. And, first, a heart 
right with God is all-important. He who would 
teach others, should himself be taught of God. 
An eminent writer* says, " We want more than 
the professor of religion for our Sabbath-school ; 
— we want holiness, that holiness which, in times 
that try men's souls, would give up all, and even 
go to the stake with the song of life upon the 
tongue ; — that holiness which, in these times, 
* Rev. John Todd. 



SABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHERS. 71 

can resist the temptations of Mammon, the be- 
witching allurements of the world, — which are 
almost as trying to piety as persecution and the 
stake, — and which can live for God and his 
glory. 

" What, then, do I say to those who are already 
engaged in teaching the Sabbath-school, but 
who have no evidence that they have been born 
of God ? Shall they at once leave their seats, 
their classes, and retire ? I reply, No : but I 
say to such, just as I would say to ministers of 
the gospel, who should confess that they never 
felt the power of religion on their own hearts ; 
— shall they leave the pulpit, and cease to 
preach — because they are blind leaders of the 
blind ? I say to such, — No ! brethren, no ! 
You have ordination vows upon you. You have 
put your hand to the plough ; you may not look 
back ; — but you ought not again to go into that 
pulpit with an unholy heart. You ought this 
hour to go before God, and with a broken heart 
and contrite spirit, to confess your sins, ask for 
pardon, and sin no more. I do not ask you to 
stop preaching, because you have an unholy 
heart ; but I do ask you no longer to be so 
basely ungrateful as to cherish such a heart. 
Just so I say to the unconverted teacher in the 
Sabbath-school : You do wrong, — you profess 



*72 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

to teach the child what you do not understand, — 
you try to make him love that which you do not 
love yourself ; you profess, by the art of teach- 
ing, to show the child that his soul is the great 
object of life, when you are indifferent and stupid 
about your own. This is wrong every way. 
Would the child pray ? Your example is against 
him. Would he work out his own salvation with 
fear and trembling ? Your example shows him 
that it is not necessary. Would he weep in se- 
cret places over his sins, and a hard heart ? He 
is afraid to tell his feelings to you, knowing that 
you are a stranger to them. 

" Next to a holy heart, the same good habits 
which we would enjoin on children, are essential 
qualifications for your usefulness, viz. : you 
should exhibit a punctuality and promptness in 
meeting your class ; becoming gravity and seri- 
ousness while with them ; and due regard for 
all the rules and regulations of the school. 
Habits of every kind ought to be given up which 
a child should not contract ; and the whole con- 
duct and spirit of the teacher should be such as 
to win the child to the love and practice of duty. 

"Another duty of the teacher is to acquire 
knowledge, to qualify him to teach others, espe- 
cially his class. To this end he should read, 
pray, and watch for it, in every passing event 



SABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHERS. 73 

and every opening providence. Like the bee 
that sips sweetness from every flower, however 
poisonous, so should the teacher draw instruct- 
ive lessons from everything. It was in this 
manner that the Psalmist learned his songs of 
praise to God. No one who will thus lay him- 
self out for usefulness, can remain barren or un- 
fruitful in his calling. 

" Another duty of great importance to the in- 
terests of a Sabbath-school, is that teachers 
should, in a faithful and becoming manner, visit 
their scholars at their homes. Many excuse 
themselves from this duty, — they say they have 
no time for it. Generally, where there is a will 
to do it, the necessary time will be found. A 
superintendent of a Sabbath-school, speaking on 
this subject, says, ' One teacher, who is an ap- 
prentice, and has to labour till nine o'clock every 
evening, manages to visit nine scholars a week, — 
while others, who are not half so much confined, 
plead that they have no time. Need I say he 
has a full and interesting class? O that there 
were more whose hearts were as much in the 
work ! we should no longer hear of empty seats 
and drooping schools.' " 

Another duty of a somewhat different charac- 
ter, is that of working by proxy, — through the 
library, and the influence of the child — upon its 



74 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

parents and others. How can a pious labourer 
for God more judiciously reacli the profane, the 
intemperate, the Sabbath-breaking families of 
our land, than through a selection of appropriate 
books, put into the hands of children of such 
families ? Facts might be given, showing that, 
through this medium, souls have doubtless been 
saved from the woes of that world " where their 
worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. " 
Not only through the use of books, but through 
the influence of the child, the devoted teacher 
may reach and instrumentally save the souls of 
its parents. An interesting incident of this kind, 
probably familiar to some of our readers, — who, 
it is hoped, will excuse its appearance in these 
pages, as it will not be uninteresting and unpro- 
fitable to others, — is as follows : — 

" Some years since a superintendent was walk- 
ing out, at the edge of evening, in one of the 
pleasant villages of Massachusetts. By some 
providence, he turned out of his accustomed 
walk, and was accosted by a child, who inquired 
if he were not a Sabbath-school teacher. On 
being told that he was, she sighed, and said 
that she had long been wishing to go to the 
school, but that her parents forbade her. On 
being asked the reason of their objections, she 
wept profusely, and said that her father was in- 



SABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHERS. *J5 

temperate, and her mother so wicked, that when 
she asked to go to the Sabbath-school, they 
would chastise her for it, and make her work all 
the Sabbath. 

" ' ! if my parents were willing, how glad I 
should be V 

" ' Will you direct me, my child, to your home ? 
I will have some conversation with your parents 
respecting your coming to the school.' 

" ' 0, yes ; and will thank you too/ 

" On entering this dwelling, I breathed forth 
a prayer to God that my visit to this family 
might be long remembered by me, and by them. 
The child introduced me as one of the Sabbath- 
school teachers, who wished to have some con- 
versation with her father on the subject of his 
permitting her to attend the school. 

"'You wretch!' he exclaimed to his child, 
' have I not forbid your going to such places V 

" He then called for the rod to chastise her. 
I felt that I was in a delicate position, and at 
first stood amazed at such unnatural cruelty. I 
remarked that I hoped he would not punish the 
child, particularly as on this occasion I had been 
the cause of exciting his anger. 

" ' Your little daughter is kind, sir, and obe- 
dient, is she not V 

Yes. But who are you ?' 



a t 



76 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

" ' I am your friend, and wish to have a little 
conversation with you, if you please.' 

"< Well, talk on.' 

" ' I hope you will not correct your child on 
account of my calling to see you, as I was pleased, 
on meeting her, with the simplicity of her con- 
versation, and thought I should be pleased to 
see her father." 

" * Sir, I will take your advice ; Jane, you will 
attend to your evening's business.' 

" After conversing with this man for nearly 
two hours on the subject of Sabbath-schools, 
and the propriety of his sending Jane, he partial- 
ly promised that she might go. ' What say you, 
mother, to our Jane's going to the Sunday-school V 
The mother refused with an oath ! My heart be- 
gan to despair, for I thought I had succeeded, 
and was now disappointed from a quarter which 
I did not expect. I continued my entreaties for 
a short time to no purpose, and promised that I 
would call again. 

" On the day following I called again, and, 
after three hours of painful and laborious con- 
versation, gained consent of these parents that 
Jane might come to our Sabbath- school. 

"The next Sabbath, with gratitude to God, 
I had the pleasure of introducing Jane into the 
Sabbath- school. After supplying her with books, 



SABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHERS. 77 

I placed her under the care of Miss D — , one of 
the most faithful teachers in our school. Jane 
had not been long with us, before it was plain 
that she had serious thoughts and feelings ; and, 
in a few Sabbaths after, her countenance indicated 
that a change, too pleasing and too visible to be 
concealed, had taken place. 

" At the close of the school one Sabbath, Miss 
D. requested me to remain, that I might have 
some particular conversation with Jane. "We 
tarried after the school was closed, and I turned 
to the little girl, who said, — ' 0, Mr. — , you are 
one of the kindest of friends in this world : you 
have, by bringing me into this school, taught me 
how to worship God. Before I came here I 
used to feel bad, but could not help it. Miss D. 
has told me that sin is the cause of all our bad 
feelings, — that we are all sinners in the sight of 
God. I have also learned in this school that we 
must pray to God that he would forgive us our 
sins. O, sir, a few Sabbaths since I felt that 
there was no peace to my poor soul, and saw 
that if I should then die, I must go to hell with 
the wicked. On leaving the school, I resolved 
to pray to God that he would give me a heart 
to love and serve him ; a heart to fear and obey 
my parents ; a heart to love everybody. And you 
cannot know what a weight my sins were to me ; 



IS CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

I could get no sleep on account of my sins. 
But I have longed for the last few days to see 
you. I have had such new feelings, — my load 
is removed, — I could hardly wait for the Sabbath 
to come, that I might tell you what a Saviour 
I have found. I trust I have given myself en- 
tirely to God. I feel that there is something in 
my heart which I cannot express. O how thank- 
ful to God I am for your care and attention, — ■ 
for the instructions of Miss D — , for ever coming 
to the Sabbath-school ; — for here I have found 
the Saviour who loves me. Pray for my father, 
mother, brothers, and sisters ; I have prayed for 
them, — I will continue to pray for them/ ■ 

" This account, which I have related in her own 
language as nearly as possible, was almost too 
much for me. She was then only thirteen years 
of age. She was not only happy herself now in 
the enjoyment of religion, but it was her heart's 
desire that all her father's family might enjoy the 
same religion. While she did not forget to pray 
for them, she often introduced topics in conver- 
sation, to interest them in religion. 

"From continued dissipation, the father in- 
duced a disease which brought him near the gates 
of death. One morning, on Jane's visiting him, 
while very weak and low, he asked her if she 
thought he would get well ? She replied with 



SABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHERS. 79 

tears, that she hoped he would, — 'but if it is 
God's will, dear father, that you should soon die, 
where will your soul be when you enter upon 
eternity ?' He gazed at her in silence ; she then 
asked if he wished to have the good Sabbath- 
school teacher call to see him ? — * he will pray 
for and with you/ He then said, ' ! my child, 
will you pray for me ? and do you think God 
would hear praj^er for such a wicked man as I 
am ?' The weeping child knelt by the bed-side 
of her sick father, and breathed out her soul to 
God in prayer, that he would pardon her father's 
sins, and prepare him for the events of the future. 
The unkind father w^as melted into contrition, on 
hearing such importunity to God, to bestow bless- 
ings from the throne of his grace upon such a 
sinner as he had been. The old man now pray- 
ed, — felt the efficacy of prayer, — felt that he was 
a sinner against God, — yes, the aged sinner pray- 
ed ; and the prayer of the penitent was heard. 
Under God, Jane was the instrument of her fa- 
ther's conversion. God, in mercy, restored him 
to health — a new man, — an humble Christian. 
On his recovery, he was soon seen in the Sabbath- 
school which he had so long opposed, where he 
then confessed, before teachers and scholars, 
how much he then felt on account of his past 
conduct to the school. He asked the forgive- 



80 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

ness of all. He is now in the fifty-eighth year 
of his age, an active teacher in the Sabbath- 
school. The mother soon became serious ; the 
brothers and one sister were also anxious for the 
salvation of their souls, and to make their peace 
with God. In a few months from the time that 
Jane entered our school, she came forward with 
her father, mother, four brothers, and a sister, 
who all joined the Church of God ! Thus she 
was instrumental, in one short summer, in the 
conversion of seven immortal souls, and all of 
her own family. Where formerly oaths were 
daily heard, now morning and evening prayer is 
offered, and the blessing of God supplicated to 
rest upon Sabbath- schools, to which, through the 
goodness of God, eight undying souls ascribe 
their conversion. " 

Dear reader, are you a Sabbath-school 
teacher ? 0, then, be encouraged to " give all 
diligence" to make sure the salvation of every 
soul committed to your charge, and within the 
reach of your influence ! Be not discouraged, 
but persevere in your labour of love, knowing 
that God has said, "In due season ye shall 
reap, if ye faint not." But if you are not con- 
nected with this nursery of God, — this hope of 
the Church, — this pillar of public morals, — this 
bulwark of civil government, — reflect a moment, 



SABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHERS. 81 

and ask yourself whether, in the final judgment, 
you can offer a satisfactory reason for your neg- 
lect. Were the interest felt and manifested in 
this benevolent enterprise commensurate with 
its importance, it is believed very few Christians 
would need urging to engage personally and 
heartily in it. 

A few years since, the chaplain of the state- 
prison at Sing-Sing, New- York, made the fol- 
lowing statement: "I have lately made pretty 
thorough inquiry among the convicts here, for 
the purpose of learning who, and how many, 
have ever enjoyed the advantages of a Sabbath- 
school. The result is, that, out of more than 
jive hundred convicts, not one has been found 
who has ever been, for any considerable time, a 
regular member of a Sabbath-school ; and not 
more than two or three who have ever attended 
such a school at all." A statement like this 
demands universal attention. What is here said 
of the convicts at Sing- Sing prison, will doubt- 
less prove true of all other similar institutions. 
Were it not for extending this chapter beyond 
proper limits, we might present the reader with 
many startling facts on this subject; but we 
forbear, earnestly praying that every man, wo- 
man, and child, may come up to the help of the 
Lord in the support of Sabbath schools. 

6 



82 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 



CHAPTER V. 

MINISTERS' DEPARTMENT— THEIR DUTY OUT 
OF THE PULPIT. 

We would not be understood in this chapter to 
be aspiring to things beyond our measure ; but, 
from a deep impression of the dignity and awful 
responsibility of the ministerial office, are con- 
strained to address a few words more to them 
that " bear the vessels of the Lord." 

We would say to such, with all deference to 
their better education, to their high and holy 
calling as ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ, 
that no habit can be more becoming you, and 
more profitable to your charge, than that of 
personally labouring for the soul of every indi- 
vidual within the reach of your influence. 

The parable of Nathan the prophet to Israel's 
fallen king was not fully understood, or did not 
come home to his heart and conscience, till the 
prophet, in a personal and pointed manner, 
made an application of it, by telling him, " Thou 
art the man?* Thus professors of religion, and 
non-professors, listen to the public preaching 
of the gospel of Christ, and hardly feel, " I am 
the man to whom this truth is applicable." 



ministers' department. 83 

But when a minister comes to an individual, as 
Nathan came to David, the person so addressed 
will feel, " I am the man," or, " I am the wo- 
man," intended. 

The minister, however popular and talented 
he may be as a preacher, will soon become, like 
Samson, shorn of his strength, if he neglect this 
mode of labour. To "teach and to preach 
Jesus," " from house to house," " warning every 
one night and day with tears," gives efficiency 
to the preached word. In this way Paul la- 
boured, not for a day, a week, a month, — but 
for years. In so labouring he was enabled to 
call the people to record that he was " pure 
from the blood of all men. For," said he, " I 
have not shunned to declare unto you all the 
counsel of God." It is feared veiy few minis- 
ters can call on their people at the present day 
in such strong and confident language respect- 
ing their faithfulness to the souls of men. Why 
is it ? Are not souls equally precious now as in 
the days of Paul ? Are they not in as imminent 
danger of perishing eternally ? And is not God 
the same yesterday, to-day, and forever? Is 
not the gospel, — its conditions of salvation, — the 
same ? " Why, then, is not the health of the 
daughter of my people recovered ?" Surely 
much of the fault lies in the watchmen. They 



84 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

are not fully awake to the interests of Zion, the 
value of souls, the awful torments which await 
the finally impenitent, and the unutterable ago- 
nies of the Saviour in the garden and on the 
cross for their salvation. Were they so awake 
they would, like Paul, warn every one with 
tears, and would cry out in bitterness of soul, 
with the prophet, " that my head were wa- 
ters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I 
might weep day and night for the slain of the 
daughter of my people !" 

If a realizing sense of eternal truths were felt 
by ministers now as it was felt by the pro- 
phets, by the Saviour and his apostles, and by 
a host of others in the early history of the 
Church, we should see the same marvellous 
displays of Almighty power which then attend- 
ed the words and labours of God's ambassa- 
dors. But we shall never see this again until 
ministers give full proof of their ministry in 
every department of their calling. The Church 
and the world still expect this ; it is a reasona- 
ble and Scriptural expectation, and one which 
ought not to be disappointed. Hence if minis- 
ters are true to the spirit of their high commis- 
sion, if they practically consider the example of 
the apostles and evangelists, — if they keep 
themselves pure from the blood of souls, — if 



MINISTERS' DEPARTMENT. 85 

they follow the example of Christ, — they must, 
they will be faithful in their personal efforts for 
the souls of individuals. Ministers should ac- 
custom themselves to this holy, this responsible 
work. It will then sit easily and gracefully upon 
thenx, like a well-fitted garment. Many, we trust 
otherwise good-meaning ministers, have counter- 
acted their pulpit ministrations by their neglect of 
this duty, and by their trifling, worldly conversa- 
tion and conduct. It is next to impossible to do 
the good, and to avoid the evil, without being holy 
at heart ; for "out of the abundance of the heart, 
the mouth speaketh." Thus it is in regard to 
all the habits of life ; they are an index to the 
state of the heart. " Holiness to the Lord," 
should be the motto indelibly engraved on every 
faculty of the soul. We believe this an essen- 
tial pre-requisite to a habit of successful per- 
sonal effort, as well as to successful pulpit 
labour. 

Perhaps it will not be amiss to give in this 
place a few sketches of ministerial usefulness 
when out of the pulpit. The first relates to a 
minister who took the pastoral charge of a 
church where there were existing difficulties 
of a personal character among the members. 
He saw, conversed, and prayed with and for 
these disaffected members alone; counselled 



86 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

them separately, and arranged matters for a 
settlement of these unpleasant affairs, without 
bringing it before the public, or even the church. 
Thus they were prevailed upon to meet each 
other half way, or at the point the pastor desig- 
nated, as the case seemed to require. In this 
way many unhappy differences were harmonized 
and settled, through his personal, confiding, and 
affectionate dealing with opposing and offending 
brethren. 

Another minister visited many families and 
individuals, some of whom were poor and dissi- 
pated, and who did not attend the public worship 
of God on the Sabbath. By this means many 
were induced to attend; were awakened and 
converted, and now bid fair to enter that eternal 
rest prepared for the people of God. O how 
many families, especially of the poor, that know 
not the comforts of religion, are passed by, as 
was the man who fell among thieves, by the 
priest and Levite, because, as it has been re- 
marked, " they do not attend our Church." 

Is it not the duty of every minister to go out 
after perishing souls, even into the "highways 
and hedges, and compel them to come in to the 
gospel feast?" The fact that they do not at- 
tend " our Church/' is a poor excuse for passing 
by any poor families, to whom reasonable access 



MINISTERS' DEPARTMENT. 87 

can be had. It is not beneath the calling or 
dignity of any minister, to devote a large share 
of his time, influence, and prayers, to the special 
benefit of the poor. " Blessed is he that consi- 
dered the poor," says the word of inspiration. 
The Saviour's example, in this respect, is worthy 
the special consideration and imitation of every 
minister. Behold him in noticing and commend- 
ing the poor widow and her two mites ! Consider 
his directions also to his disciples, to go and tell 
John what they saw of his works ; how " the 
blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the 
lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead 
are raised up, and the poor have the gospel 
preached to them." 

Not only should the poor be particularly the 
pastor's care, but also the young. " Whence does 
the shepherd look for his future flock, but from 
among the lambs ? And who are to constitute 
our future congregations and churches, but our 
young people ?" It would indeed be well were 
more labour bestowed upon children and youth 
by ministers. The Saviour manifested a marked 
attention to their welfare, and very frequently 
called upon the multitude, and also upon indi- 
viduals, not to despise or neglect them. And to 
Peter, in his last solemn charge, said, " Feed my 
lambs." This charge is still binding on every 



88 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

gospel minister; — in the family — in the Sabbath- 
school — in the congregation — in highways and 
byways, this command should and ought to be 
obeyed. O that it could sound with trumpet- 
voice throughout the land, and reach the ear 
and heart of every minister, " Feed my lambs l" 
ISTo part of ministerial labour yields a quicker, a 
surer, or a larger reward, than that which is be- 
stowed upon the young. 

Some ministers have been accustomed, now 
and then, to prepare sermons expressly for the 
young, and hardly to notice them at any other 
time in their pulpit ministrations. May it not be 
said rather, that no sermon should be preached, 
where children are present, in which there is 
nothing particularly applicable to the child ? No 
wonder children are restless in church, and hate 
to go where they hear nothing adapted to their 
capacities. The writer well remembers when 
she first began to attend public service, that 
nothing but the singing interested her; every- 
thing else was inapplicable to her capacity. This 
is doubtless the case with many children. The 
importance of beginning early to warn children 
of the awful consequences of sin, and to direct 
them to the Saviour, we fear is not sufficiently 
considered. God has said, " The soul that sin- 
neth, it shall die." How many children and 



MINISTERS' DEPARTMENT. 89 

youth are constantly dying in an unrenewed 
state ! At whose hands will their blood be re- 
quired ? Ministers ! ponder this question upon 
your knees before God ; slight not your convic- 
tions : but see to it that you are clear in this 
matter. 

We once knew a devoted labourer in his 
Master's vineyard, who has now gone to his re- 
ward, that used to invite serious young men to 
meet him in his study, and there would wrestle 
with God in their behalf till they were blest. 
After they were converted, he would urge and 
lead them on to a greater knowledge and expe- 
rience of the deep things of holiness, and also 
press upon their attention their personal obliga- 
tions to labour and pray for the salvation of 
others. This was the manner of the devoted J. 
B. Taylor, with those young disciples who em- 
braced Christ through his instrumentality. He 
gave them no rest while possessed of a fluctu- 
ating hope ; but entreated, urged, and pressed 
upon them the duty and privilege of being filled 
with the fulness of divine love ; having their 
hearts assured before God, and everything con- 
trary to holiness extirpated. He not only pre- 
sented these things to others as a theory, but 
embraced, professed, and carried out in his own 
life these holy principles. He deeply felt for 



90 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

the holiness and usefulness of ministers. On 
one occasion he says, " Looking at the watch- 
men on Zion's walls, my heart bled for Zion. 
My heart broke with desire, for the bringing in 
of a more devoted ministry !" 

Again, to a brother in college, he says, 
" Brother F., how do you live in college ? I do 
not hear from you. Are you getting much 
knowledge upon your knees ?" This sweet, heart- 
searching question is worthy the consideration, 
not only of students for the ministry, but of 
every pastor, yea, of every individual Christian. 

We were formerly acquainted with a minister 
who now rests from his labours, who was in the 
habit of studying his sermons, and all his various 
duties, so far as strength and circumstances 
would permit, upon his knees. He was, like the 
devoted Taylor, eminent for his personal holi- 
ness, and personal efforts for the welfare of 
souls. When he met an individual, and there 
was suitable opportunity, he ascertained at once, 
by inquiry, as far as possible, the spiritual con- 
dition of the soul, and ceased not to point his 
hearer to a present Saviour, as ready and willing 
to impart salvation in all its freeness and fulness 
to such as heartily submitted and believed on 
him. Religion, with him, was not borne like a 
burden ; it flowed spontaneously with all his life 



MINISTERS' DEPARTMENT. 91 

and energy of soul. It seemed to be the un- 
ceasing purpose of his life to make every person 
with whom he came in contact more holy and 
more useful. Every word, look, and action, 
seemed directed at the heart, and seemed, in 
most instances, to be felt. This is what the 
Church and world need to rouse their dormant 
energies, and to bring forth from among the 
rubbish of carnal minds those vital truths which 
will electrify the soul, and bring to life the 
dead. 

An eminent writer,* in speaking to ministers, 
says, " Think not that all your work is in your 
studies and pulpits. You are shepherds, and 
must know every sheep." 

The writer believes there are very few uncon- 
verted men, who sit from Sabbath to Sabbath 
under an evangelical ministry, who cannot be 
roused, by faithful personal appeals to their 
hearts and consciences, by the holy and consist- 
ent pastor. If any Christian minister doubts 
this, we apprehend he has not fully tried the 
experiment, or is lacking in some important fea- 
ture of the Christian character. We do not say 
all such persons will be converted ; but we do 
say, they cannot help thinking and feeling more 
deeply on the subject of their personal salvation, 
* Baiter. r 



92 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

and many of them will be converted when thus 
dealt with. 

A great deal depends on getting such per- 
sons to commit themselves in some way to the 
performance of religious duty. When an indi- 
vidual is under no special awakening, he will not 
be likely to take any step voluntarily towards 
securing an interest in the Saviour ; but a little 
direct private effort on the part of the pastor 
might be successful in his behalf. Perhaps it 
would be well to elicit a promise from such 
persons to attend some select prayer, class, or 
other religious meeting ; or to read a chapter in 
the Bible once, twice, or thrice a day ; or to 
pray as often in secret; or to do some other 
duty hitherto neglected, which will be the least 
repulsive to their feelings ; and thus, by a close 
attention, pressing one duty after another upon 
them, they may soon be brought to yield the 
citadel of the heart to a conquering Saviour. 
Many private Christians have not the skill for 
such an intricate work as this> but it is pre- 
sumed every pastor has. By such a course 
many valuable members might be added to the 
Church, and become useful in sustaining the in- 
stitutions of religion. 

Another item of great importance, for which 
we beg the prayerful consideration of Christian 



MINISTERS' DEPARTMENT. 03 

pastors, is the duty of training Christians, espe- 
cially young converts, to the work of personal 
effort for the conversion of souls ; and also to the 
generous support of every benevolent object of 
the Church. Not giving earnest, faithful, and 
practical instruction on these points, many pas- 
tors have injured themselves and their people ; 
and, it is feared, have been instrumental in the 
eternal ruin of precious immortal souls. 

But let a church be trained, and become de- 
votedly allied to the principles herein advocated, 
and it will be like u a city set on a hill, which 
cannot be hid;" or, "a light shining in a dark 
place." It will be very easy and pleasant for 
the minister of Christ to labour with such a 
people. His efforts will be seconded, his influ- 
ence sustained, his heart cheered and encour- 
aged, and the work of the Lord will prosper glo- 
riously. Meetings for prayer, and other religious 
purposes, will not then be thinly attended, cold, 
nor formal. Perhaps the absence of a single 
member, under such happy circumstances, would 
be as quickly noticed as was the absence of any 
of their number, when the primitive disciples as- 
sembled, and Thomas " was not with them." 

A minister who has been somewhat interested 
in the topic before us, gives the following glow- 
ing testimony to his confidence in the efficacy and 



94 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

utility of this important duty: — "I deem it," 
says he, " of the highest importance in the circle 
of Christian duties. I feel that, with fifty genu- 
ine personal-effort Christians, I could convert 
any town in the world, almost every soul of it." 
This may seem to some a wild and strange as- 
sertion ; but it is, doubtless, in a sense true. If 
God can take a worm to thresh a mountain, — 
and through one chase a thousand, and by two 
put ten thousand to flight, why not with fifty 
convert a town ? God once promised to spare a 
great and wicked city from destruction for the 
sake of ten righteous, if so many could be found 
in it. Then why not believe he would convert 
a city through the faithful instrumentality of 
fifty righteous ? God looks more at the character 
than the numbers through whom he exerts his 
saving power. Ministers of the gospel are called, 
qualified, and blessed with more than ordinary 
advantages for the work of saving souls from 
death. God maketh "his ministers a flaming 
fire," says the Psalmist. What a beautiful figure ; 
denoting light, heat, and power ! Every minister 
who would be a workman in his calling should 
aspire after this. Their life is, or should be, 
especially one of union and communion with spi- 
ritual things. Unless this is the case, they are 
poorly qualified to feed the Church of Christ, and 



ministers' department. 95 

build it up in its most holy faith. " No light," 
said a dear minister to the writer, not long since, 
"is like the light of experience." There are 
spiritual truths, — deep things of God, — which 
the experienced minister can alone' comprehend 
and bring forth. Hence the importance of 
Christian pastors being men of deep experience, 
and much given to prayer. It is said of that 
great and good divine, Rev. John Mason, who 
died in 1694, that he observed the duty of 
prayer six times every day as long as he was 
able ; twice by himself, twice with his wife, and 
twice with his family. The first posture he was 
in every morning, as soon as he was out of bed, 
was upon his knees ; and the same as soon as he 
returned from a journey. Add to this the fre- 
quent occasions in which, as a pastor, he was en- 
gaged in this duty, and we have an example 
which few have given, and which many might 
profitably imitate. 

Dear reader, are you a minister of Christ? 
Permit me to suggest a few questions for your 
consideration : — 

First. Have you consecrated the entire powers 
of body, soul, and spirit, with all that relates to 
you or concerns you, to God and his service ? 
"If I regard iniquity in my heart," says the 
Psalmist, " the Lord will not hear me." God 



96 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

does not approve any one, much less his minis- 
ters, in keeping back a part of the price, — He 
requires a " whole burnt-offering." 

Again. Are you doing all in your power to 
save souls, and build them up in the faith of the 
gospel ? In all your intercourse with your dying 
fellow-men, are you fixed in your purpose to 
make and leave impressions for God ? Can you 
say, with the Apostle, "I am pure from the 
blood of all men?" Can you say you do not 
" confer with flesh and blood" in preaching Je- 
sus Christ ? Do you " make no provision for the 
flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof?" 

Once more. Is faith in the great atonement 
your constant strong-hold ? " Whatsoever is not 
of faith, is sin ;" " the just shall live by faith." 
Here is the grand secret of a minister's strength 
and success, — 

" Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, 
And looks to that alone." 

The apostle says, " Now faith is the substance 
of things hoped for ; the evidence of things not 
seen." 

In one of the numbers of the British Quarter- 
ly Review we find the following sentiment : " No 
ministry will be really effective, whatever may be 
its intelligence, which is not a ministry of strong 
faith, true spirituality, and deep earnestness." 



MINISTERS' DEPARTMENT. 97 

Rev. J. A. James, in commenting upon this sen- 
timent, says, " I wish this golden sentence could 
be inscribed, in characters of light, over every 
professor's chair, over every student's desk, and 
over every preacher's pulpit." 

We might say much more on this subject, 
but it seems needless when we consider the mul- 
tiplicity of helps, from more competent pens, 
which God's ambassadors may find elsewhere, 
especially in the Holy Scriptures. May this be 
the man of your counsel, and the basis of all 
your principles, hopes, and labours. 

" Let Zion's watchmen all awake, 
And take the' alarm they give ; 
Now let them from the mouth of God 
Their awful charge receive. 

" 'Tis not a cause of small import, 
The pastor's care demands ; 
But what might fill an angel's heart, 
And fill'd a Saviour's hands. 

"May they in Jesus, whom they preach, 
Their own Redeemer see ; 
And watch thou daily o'er their souls, 
That they may watch for thee." 



98 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 



CHAPTER VI. 

DUTY OF EMPLOYERS. 

The Divine commandments are so explicit that 
they meet all cases and circumstances. In 
the following chapter we design to consider the 
precept, — "Masters, give unto your servants 
that which is just and equal ; knowing that ye 
also have a Master in heaven.' ' 

The good Richard Baxter says, — "Men of 
wealth and authority, and that have many de- 
pendents, have excellent advantages for this duty, 
(that of labouring for the good of souls.) O 
what a world of good might lords and gentlemen 
do, if they had but hearts to improve their in- 
fluence over others ! Have you not all your ho- 
nour and riches from God ? Doth not Christ say, 
' Unto whomsoever much is given, of him much 
shall be required V If you speak to your depend- 
ents for God and their souls, you may be re- 
garded, even when a minister shall be despised. 
As you value the honour of God, your own com- 
fort, and the salvation of souls, improve your in- 
fluence over your tenants and neighbours ; visit 
their houses ; see whether they worship God in 
their families ; and take all opportunities to press 
them to their duty. Despise them not. Re- 



DUTY OF EMPLOYERS. 99 

member, God is no respecter of persons. Let 
men see that you excel others in piety, compas- 
sion, and diligence in God's work, as you do in 
the riches and honours of the world. I confess 
you will by this means be singular, but then you 
will be singular in glory ; for few of the ' mighty 
and noble are called.' " 

A letter written by Mr. Williams, of Kidder- 
minster, dated Dec. 12, 1747, to a young lady 
who had been a member of his family, exhibits 
the power and influence which the head of a 
family and a business-man may exert for God 
and the welfare of souls. He says to her, 
" Though I cannot say, * I have begotten you 
through the gospel/ yet the share an indulgent 
Providence allowed me therein, affords me many 
a delightful reflection. How transporting is the 
hope I have, that no less than seven young souls 
under my roof have been born, in a spiritual sense, 
within the space of two or three years ! It is the 
life of my life. I have indeed growing hopes 
that every child of mine is a child of God, and 
every domestic servant of mine is a servant of 
Christ, besides two others who were only sojourn- 
ers with me ; and I do and will rejoice therein. 
It is more to me than all that outward prosperity 
with which it hath pleased my bountiful Lord to 
bless me." 



100 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

The following extract from Rev. J. A. James's 
" Church in Earnest," is worthy of the special 
attention of those persons for whom this chap- 
ter is particularly designed. He says — "Per- 
haps it will be found, upon examination, that 
those do least in the way of personal effort 
who have the ability to do most. I mean the 
talented, the wealthy, and the manufacturer who 
has a large number of persons in his employ, and 
who might be supposed to have a great influence 
over them. It happens that, with the exception 
of pious females of the upper classes,* persons 
of talent and business are most rarely found en- 
gaged in personal effort for the salvation of their 
neighbours ; they will give their money, and per- 
haps will also give their time, to the business of 
committees; and this so far is well, for many 
will not do this ; but how seldom are they found 
engaged in personal effort for the conversion and 
salvation of others ! Yet what might they not 
do in this way if they tried ! Their station and 
talents would give them advantages for this sub- 
lime occupation which others do not possess. 
Conceive of the effect which might be expected 

* We think this exception is necessary. Truly pious fe- 
males in the upper classes are not unfrequently ministering 
angels to the poor. And it may generally be attributed 
mainly to their influence that licentiousness and infidelity do 
not revel without restraint where wealth abounds. 



DUTY OF EMPLOYERS. 101 

to result, if all the wealthy and intelligent mem- 
bers of our churches would give only one hour 
a week to the labour of diffusing religion, by en- 
deavouring to influence the minds of others, and 
win their attention to the great concerns of re- 
ligion. 

" This applies with special force to master-man- 
ufacturers, and others who have a large number 
of men in their employ, and under their influ- 
ence. One gentleman is known to us who has 
several hundred men in his service, and who 
takes a deep interest in the spiritual welfare of 
his workmen. He has a Bible-class for all who 
are willing to attend. He holds a prayer-meet- 
ing with them every week ; distributes religious 
tracts; gives them counsel and admonition; 
encourages their attendance upon public wor- 
ship, without at all exerting any sectarian in- 
fluence; and is about to establish, for their 
benefit, a library and reading-room. He is a 
catholic-spirited Churchman, but never suffers 
his predilections for the Church of England to 
influence him in his endeavours for the spiritual 
welfare of the objects of his solicitude. What 
might not be expected to our population if all 
our manufacturers and large retail shop-keepers 
felt the same pious solicitude for the souls of 
their work-people and shop-men as does this 



102 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

devoted and eminent servant of our Lord! 
How this would counteract the infidelity and 
immorality which so extensively prevail among 
our labouring population, and which, with such 
busy assiduity, are cherished by a corrupt 
press, and by those emissaries of Satan, the 
teachers of skepticism, profanity, and licentious- 
ness ! Surely it becomes Christian masters to 
ask whether they cannot do something to arrest 
the progress of this dreadful mischief. But, 
alas ! too many of the men of trade, and even 
of Christian masters, are either so little con- 
cerned about their workmen as to care for 
nothing but just what measure of profit they 
can get from their labour, or else they are on 
such bad terms with them, as to render nuga- 
tory any effort they might make for their spirit- 
ual welfare." 

The fact that " not many wise men after the 
flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are 
called," is doubtless owing to the blinding influ- 
ence which worldly wisdom, power, and wealth, 
exert upon the human mind. While a man 
feels he is "rich and increased in goods, and 
has need of nothing," he will never come to 
Jesus. This gives emphasis to the divine say- 
ing, "How hardly shall they that have riches 
enter into the kingdom of God !" All who do 



DUTY OF EMPLOYERS. 103 

enter this kingdom, or expect to enter it, must 
become poor in spirit ; they must feel that they 
are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and 
blind, and naked ;" then will they receive the 
"gold tried in the fire," — the riches of grace, 
the salvation of God. The entrance to this 
kingdom is through the strait gate of repentance 
and regeneration, the narrow, self-denying way 
of the cross. But it is no degradation for any 
man thus to enter ; as all will realize, who pro- 
perly consider the economy of grace. 

As all men are placed on the same footing as to 
personal salvation, so all are required to labour 
for the welfare of others, according to their 
" several ability." Jesus never excused men of 
wealth, of business, or of learning, from being 
servants in their calling. " Whosoever will be 
chief among you, let him be your servant." 
The Saviour took upon " himself the form of a 
servant ;" he " came not to be ministered unto, 
but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for 
many." This is the standard for Christian mas- 
ters, and all in authority, to imitate. It is a 
false notion that labour is degrading to the 
wealthy and learned. The most noble speci- 
mens of Scripture worthies were labourers, in 
the fullest sense of the word. Kings and 
judges, priests and prophets, are all included, 



104 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

not excepting Jesus himself, who is the King of 
kings and Lord of lords. How derogatory, 
then, to the character of men of wealth, of edu- 
cation, of influence, is it to live in idleness, or to 
revel in sensuality and sin! These are they 
who lead off the poorer classes into foolish and 
sinful extravagances and into fashionable vices. 
Complain not, ye who are thus abusing your 
powers for usefulness, at the dishonesty and 
unfaithfulness of your clerks, your journeymen, 
your labourers. You are only receiving the 
fruits of your own folly. " He who would 
have friends, must show himself friendly," in 
the relations here considered, as well as else- 
where. 

The spirit which we would recommend to our 
readers, is beautifully evinced in the following 
anecdote : — " Lewis the Ninth of France was 
found instructing a poor kitchen boy ; and be- 
ing asked why he would do so, answered, The 
meanest has a soul as precious as my own, and 
bought with the same blood of Christ." God 
is no respecter of persons, and man should 
not be. One of the most interesting examples 
for men of business which we have met with in 
New-England, is that of Mr. Normand Smith. 
He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, Nov. 
11, 1800, and died Oct. 25, 1833. We gather 



DUTY OF EMPLOYERS. 105 

our statements respecting him from his memoir, 
by Rev. Dr. Hawes : — 

* At the age of twelve he gave good evidence 
of piety ; at twenty he settled in life, and found 
in his companion one who was to be the helper 
of his spiritual course till death, and who now 
survives to train up for God three fatherless 
daughters." It is said that "he suffered, as 
many do in the beginning of their Christian 
course, in consequence of not being more active 
in the service of God." This statement will 
doubtless hold good in every case. No Chris- 
tian can grow in grace who is not active. Hence 
the importance of contracting a habit of faith- 
ful personal effort in the first stages of our 
Christian experience : " Do good, thereby good 
shall come unto thee," is an inspired axiom. 

After Mr. Smith entered on a course of active 
effort for the welfare of others, he gave good 
evidence of deep, heart-felt piety, and from that 
time his life was a useful one. " The language 
of his heart was, '- Lord, what wilt thou have 
me to do V His heart and hand were open to 
give liberally of his substance unto the Lord. 
He sought out objects of charity, and studied 
to discover opportunities to do good." 

Before entering more fully upon his character, 
as a master and employer of others, we would 



106 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

notice some of his ways of doing good. Though 
deeply engaged in business, it did not prevent 
his engaging personally in all the leading ob- 
jects of Christian benevolence. " He felt a 
lively interest in Sabbath-schools. One season 
he engaged with some others in establishing a 
Sabbath-school to teach adult foreigners to read. 
Another season he walked from two to three 
miles on Sabbath mornings to sustain a Sabbath- 
school in a destitute district. He often visited 
the poor-house to converse with and instruct its 
inmates. He took a deep interest in the coloured 
people in the city. At one time, when there 
was more than usual religious attention among 
them, and they needed more labour than he 
could perform, he employed a Christian brother 
for several weeks to visit them from house to 
house. At another time he paid the board of a 
young man for one season to keep school for 
them. He was also among the first and most 
liberal in maintaining a city missionary to labour 
in the destitute parts of the city, and to preach 
to the seamen." 

Such were the ardent desires of Mr. Smith to 
do good, that at one time he thought of relin- 
quishing his worldly business, in part at least, 
that he might have more time for religious pur- 
poses. He finally decided to continue in busi- 



DUTY OF EMPLOYERS. 107 

ness as before, though in a more benevolent 
sense. He says, " I believe the Lord has led 
me, and inclined me to pursue my business, 
not to increase in riches, but that I may have to 
give to him that needeth. It is therefore my 
purpose to engage in my business that I may 
serve God in it, and with the expectation of 
getting to give." How worthy of imitation is 
such an example ! This is the heaven-inspired 
principle on which every Christian man should 
act. 

"In personal and domestic expenditure he 
studied Christian economy. While he denied 
himself no reasonable comfort, it was his habit 
to consider what things he might dispense with, 
that he might have the more to give for charita- 
ble purposes. Modest and unassuming in his 
natural character, he thought it not consistent 
with the simplicity of the gospel for one pro- 
fessing godliness to follow the customs and 
fashions of the world." Will the reader, what- 
ever may be his circumstances or calling in life, 
consider this feature of Christian consistency in 
Mr. Smith. Perhaps there is no greater evil 
among professing Christians than that of follow- 
ing the customs and fashions of the world. 
God has given a most definite command on this 
point : — " Be not conformed to this world, but be 



108 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, 
that ye may prove what is that good and ac- 
ceptable and perfect will of God." Again : 
"As obedient children, not fashioning your- 
selves according to the former lusts in your 
ignorance !" And again : " Forasmuch, then, 
as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm 
yourselves likewise with the same mind ; for he 
that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from 
sin ; that he no longer should live the rest of 
his time to the lust of men, but to the will of 
God." These holy and inspired injunctions, 
the Spirit of God writes on all truly pious 
hearts. And all who do not in life conform to 
this requirement, have just ground to fear in 
reference to their spiritual and eternal safety. 

But to return to our narrative: it is said 
that "nowhere, perhaps, did he shine brighter 
than in his family. He felt deeply his respon- 
sibility in relation to all the members of his 
household, and, by a kind and faithful discharge 
of his duties, aimed to bring them all to a saving 
knowledge of Christ. Family worship he es- 
teemed a most sacred duty and privilege, and 
was particularly interesting in his manner of 
performing it ; requiring all the family to be 
present, and engaging each one to unite in the 
reading and singing, which usually made a part 



DUTY OF EMPLOYERS. 109 

of his morning and evening worship. A few 
weeks previous to his death a friend called to see 
him who had just been married, and who was 
not pious. With great affection and faithful- 
ness he urged him to become a Christian, and 
establish family worship; remarking, that he 
had enjoyed more in his family religion than in 
all other things put together." 

Having thus briefly glanced at the foregoing 
traits in Mr. Smith's character, we shall now 
notice him in connexion with his business : — 
" As a master, he was exceedingly attentive to 
the morals and habits of those who were com- 
mitted to his care, and laboured most assidu- 
ously for their salvation. He was in the prac- 
tice of boarding his younger apprentices in his 
own family, and at his own table, chiefly that he 
might thus the more faithfully watch over and 
promote their spiritual interests. He used to 
say, if they were not converted soon after com- 
ing into his family, he had little hope of them. 
As his family increased, he was urged to board 
them out. But he would reply, * I must form 
their characters myself; I cannot part with 
them till they are Christians ;' and when they 
had professed faith in Christ, he would say, • I 
wish to keep them, to instruct and assist them 
in the Christian life.' When, by the coming of 



110 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

others into the family, he was obliged to part 
with the elder ones, he was very particular in 
regard to their boarding-places, seeking to place 
them in Christian families ; and was unwilling 
that more than two should room together, 
knowing that young Christians are often tempted 
to neglect secret prayer for the want of a suita- 
ble place for retirement. 

" The means which he used to impress the 
minds of those who from time to time came into 
his family, were various. Sometimes he would 
converse with them separately; at others he 
would address them together; but depended, 
most of all, upon the presentation of truth in 
family worship, and the daily exhibition of a 
Christian example, together with a manifest 
tender concern for their salvation. He has been 
known to sit up half the night in prayer for a 
member of his family whose mind he knew was 
impressed on the subject of religion. On his 
dying bed, nearly the last words he said to his 
brother, engaged with him in business, were, 
' Take good care of the boys.'' He felt the same 
benevolent concern for the domestics of the 
family ; and it is an interesting fact, that all 
who resided in the family in this capacity, dur- 
ing the last four years of his life, hopefully be- 
came Christians. One of the number thus con- 



DUTY OF EMPLOYERS. Ill 

verted heard him one morning very early, be- 
fore the family had risen, earnestly at prayer. 
She listened, and found it was for herself. Her 
mind was impressed, and she sought and found 
the one thing needful. 

" He felt his responsibility in relation to all in 
his employment. This led him at one time to 
form a Bible- class among the females of his es- 
tablishment, which met in their work-room on 
Wednesday afternoons. This exercise was 
greatly blessed, and resulted in the conversion 
of many. The number hopefully brought to 
Christ by his unwearied efforts, among his ap- 
prentices, domestics, and others in his employ- 
ment, is not known. But many, very many, it is 
believed, will be found at the last day who will 
owe their salvation, under God, to his faithful 
labours and prayers. It has been well remem- 
bered of him, that it seemed to be his object to 
leave a decidedly religious impression on the 
mind of every person with whom he had inter- 
course. " 

The writer would pause here, and beg the 
consideration of the Christian reader to the duty 
of having a purpose, — a fixed and settled pur- 
pose of heart, — to imitate Mr. Smith in this 
last-mentioned particular. For want of such a 
purpose little good, comparatively, is done. This 



112 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

fixed purpose to make impressions for God — for 
heaven — for eternity, — is what every Christian 
should possess. The devoted Harlan Page was 
an eminent example of this character. It is be- 
lieved that every individual who had intercourse 
with him during the last few years of his life 
can attest to his faithfulness in this respect. 
Were our churches made up of such living epis- 
tles, known and read of all men, we should see 
sinners in multitudes flocking to Christ. 

It is further said of Mr. Smith, — " He made 
it a point, whenever it was practicable, to con- 
verse more or less with all persons he came in 
contact with, on the subject of their salvation/ ' 

He very frequently set apart days for fasting 
and prayer. By this means the Christian ob- 
tains his power with God and for God in behalf 
of others. Perhaps no class of persons have 
more need of such consecrated seasons than 
business men. Their daily employment, and 
the influences by which they are surrounded, 
will have a strong tendency to draw the mind 
from God, and to fill it with worldly cares and 
perplexities. At the close of one of Mr. S — 's, 
seasons of fasting and prayer, he made this 
entry in his journal : — 

" Resolved, in the strength of God, henceforth 
to do my whole duty both to God and man, — 



I 



DUTY OF EMPLOYERS. 113 

to adopt the following as the division of my 
time ; namely, — seven hours to sleep, — ten to 
five o'clock ; three hours devoted to the family 
and study, — five to eight ; four hours to busi- 
ness, — eight to twelve ; one hour to dinner and 
devotion, — twelve to one ; three hours to busi- 
ness, — one to four ; two hours to visiting ; four 
hours to family devotion and meeting; — to 
leave nothing to be done to-morrow which can 
be done to-day. I must have something to do 
every leisure moment. There is a time for 
everything, and everything should be done in 
its time. As three principal objects now claim 
my attention, I will give special attention to 
them, as follows : Mondays and Tuesdays, city 
missions; Wednesdays and Thursdays, the 
church; Fridays and Saturdays, Sunday- 
school. 

" Resolved, to seek to be more useful in my 
family. I tremble in making these resolutions. 
May God give me grace to keep them. I now 
make a renewed consecration of myself and my 
aD." 

Although a Christian may deviate through 
circumstances, infirmities, and temptations, from 
such a set of rules for holy living, he cannot be 
otherwise than useful and happy while steadily 
aiming at their observance. System and method 

8 



114 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

are as important in the things of religion as in 
other things ; when every duty, secular as well 
as religious, is transacted on such principles, 
there will be a beautiful harmony and order 
pervading all the public, social, and private 
walks of life. 

A professor of religion, with whom the writer 
has some acquaintance, was, for a series of 
years, in the habit of attending to religious du- 
ties when it seemed most convenient. Some- 
times the hurry of business would make it 
appear out of place to devote half an hour in 
the morning to secret and family devotion ; and 
at noon company were present, or something 
else was an objection to the performance of this 
duty; again at evening, company or engage- 
ments would be permitted to interfere, and it 
must be deferred till bed-time ; when that time 
came, the weariness of body and mind was 
such, that there was no heart or spirit for 
communion with God and spiritual things. 
Thus it is with many who profess the religion of 
Jesus Christ. They are the most servile slaves, 
— chained to the drudgery of a sinful, perishing 
world. It was not so with Mr. S. " It was 
his constant practice to rise before the family, 
and spend one or two hours by himself before 
attending family duties. At noon he had a sea- 



DUTY OF EMPLOYERS. 115 

son of prayer ; and no company would prevent 
his retiring, as he would excuse himself for a 
little while, that he might enjoy his accustomed 
converse with God. He usually attended some 
meeting in the evening, but always prayed be- 
fore he went. He had a room expressly set 
apart for private devotion, and would never be 
disturbed in his retirement. If any one called, 
he received no answer; and he had seasons 
there, when, as he expressed it, the presence of 
God seemed to fill the room, and he was almost 
afraid to step. He had a place for prayer also 
in his store, and would often invite his brethren, 
when they came in, to unite with him in prayer." 

Fenelon very justly remarks, that " we must 
reserve the needful hours for communing with 
God in prayer. Persons who are in considerable 
offices, have so many indispensable duties to 
fulfil, that scarcely any time remains to them 
for communion with God, except they strictly 
apply themselves to its regulation. It is neces- 
sary, then, to be firm in adopting and observing 
a rule. Our rigour in this may seem excessive ; 
but without it, all falls into confusion ; we are 
dissipated and relaxed ; we lose our strength ; 
we are insensibly at a distance from God." 

We might continue this chapter to almost any 
length, such is the importance which it assumes 



116 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

to our mind ; but we will close with one more 
example, and a few reflections. That example 
is that of the Gentile centurion. This great 
man, — great in goodness and usefulness, — had 
a " servant who was dear to him, and he was 
sick, and ready to die." His humility was such, 
that he sent the elders of the Jews to Jesus in 
behalf of his servant, instead of going himself. 
We may judge what influence and power he 
possessed in his being able to procure such a 
delegation in favour of a mere servant. Nor is 
this all ; the centurion's wealth and benevolence 
are also prominently noticed in the statement — 
"he hath built us a synagogue." How worthy 
of imitation is such an example. How few rich 
men build places of worship for the poor. And, 
beyond this, the crowning feature in the centu- 
rion's character is his faith, of which Jesus tes- 
tified, saying, " I have not found so great faith, 
no, not in Israel." It is needless perhaps to 
say that his servant was healed. 

Ye men of wealth, of business, talent, and 
influence, let the foregoing examples of what 
Christian men have been, and of what they 
have done, encourage you to go and do like- 
wise. Try to realize the solemn fact, that your 
responsibilities are vast and fearful, — that time, 
with all its fleeting concerns, will soon have an 



DUTY OF EMPLOYERS. 117 

end — that you are living for eternity — " treasur- 
ing up wrath against the day of wrath," or 
" seeking for glory, honour, immortality, eternal 
life." Will you not "wisely improve the pre- 
sent hour," that you may in eternity wear a 
crown of glory, and rejoice forever with the 
souls who have been saved by your instrumen- 
tality ? May God help you to be faithful, — to 
inscribe " holiness to the Lord " upon all yc-ur 
motives, — upon all you do — upon all you pos- 
sess — upon all your hopes for time and eternity ! 

"Master, I own thy lawful claim ; 

Thine, wholly thine, I long to be ; 
Thou seest, at last, I willing am, 

Where'er thou go'st, to follow thee ; 
Myself in all things to deny ; 
Thine, wholly thine, to live and die. 

" Pleasure, and wealth, and praise no more 
Shall lead my captive soul astray ; 

My fond pursuits I all give o'er ; 
Thee, only thee, resolved to obey : 

My own in all things to resign, 

And know no other will but thine." 



118 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 



CHAPTER VII. 

DUTY OF THE EMPLOYED. 

Having in the preceding chapter considered 
the duty of employers, we would next notice 
that of the employed. He who said, " Masters, 
give unto your servants that which is just and 
equal," said also, " Servants, be obedient to them 
that are your masters according to the flesh, 
with fear and trembling, in singleness of your 
heart as unto Christ ; not with eye-service, as 
men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, do- 
ing the will of God from the heart." 

Those whom we now address are a numerous 
and interesting class of persons ; they are pos- 
sessed of many talents and opportunities for 
doing good ; their influence is great, — greater in 
some respects than that of any other class of men. 
We allude particularly to apprentices, clerks, 
journeymen mechanics, and labourers in gene- 
ral, who are engaged in the various departments 
of agricultures, manufactures, and commerce. 

All men, whatever may be their earthly call- 
ing, are equally bound to live for God and the 
interests of the soul, — all are hastening to the 
judgment-seat of Christ, — all must give an ac- 



DUTY OF THE EMPLOYED. 119 

count for themselves in that great day, — all 
must hear the sentence, " Depart, ye cursed !" 
or, " Come, ye blessed !" — all must then enter 
upon a state of happiness or misery, to continue 
forever. In eternity there will be no distinction 
between the master and the servant, the rich 
and the poor, the ignorant and the learned, 
the black and the white, the bond and the free, 
except that which proceeds from character. 
He that is holy here, will be holy there ; he 
that is filthy here, will be filthy there. " God 
is no respecter of persons ; but in every nation 
he that feareth him and worketh righteousness 
is accepted with him." But God is a respecter 
of character. " He discerns between the right- 
eous and the wicked, and between him that 
serve th God, and him that serveth him not." 
Character, therefore, makes the man; not his 
money, nor his learning, nor his popularity, nor 
his power. The chief object of life — the end 
for which man was created, — is to glorify God 
and to enjoy him forever. " The conclusion of 
the whole matter," says the word of inspiration, 
is to " fear God and keep his commandments, 
for this is the whole duty of man ; for God will 
bring every work into judgment, with every 
secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it 
be evil." 



120 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

I 

That we may thus glorify God, and keep his 
commandments, the following preliminary steps 
must be taken : — 

First: If it is not already done, decide to 
be governed by right princijrtes ; principles 
founded in Scripture, and in accordance with 
your own best judgment. He that is without 
fixed principles of this character, is like a ship 
at sea without a helm, carried about by the 
changing current of wind and wave, and in con- 
tinual danger of being dashed upon the rocks, 
or stranded on the ocean shore, or ingulfed 
in the fearful whirlpool. 

" You ought," says Todd, in his " Student's 
Manual," "to act upon principles which eon- 
science will at all times approve. Do you 
know what it is to sit down to meditate, at the 
close of the day, and have something hang upon 
the soul like lead, — to have a cloud between 
you and the throne of grace ? Do you know 
what it is to lie down at night, and look upon 
the day, and the days that are passing, and find 
no bright spot upon which the memory lingers 
with pleasure ? Do you know what it is to lie 
on your pillow and feel the smitings of con- 
science, and have the heart ache, while the 
clock slowly measures ofT the hours of night ? 
This is because conscience is at her post, calling 



DUTY OF THE EMPLOYED. 121 

the soul to account. She lashes, she heaves up 
the waves of guilt, till the soul feels like being 
buried under them. Do you not thus commune 
with your heart, at times ? But if you will live 
for God, — wholly for God, — conscience will 
soothe you, comfort you, and bring hope to 
your soul, even in your darkest hour." See to 
it, then, that you act from such principles as an 
enlightened conscience shall approve. 

Second : Avoid temptations, and even the ap- 
pearance of evil. A want of caution and firm- 
ness in this particular has proved the ruin of 
thousands, especially of the class of persons whom 
we are now addressing. Temptations, snares, 
and pit-falls, are spread thick through all the 
path of life, from the cradle to the grave. Every 
man has his besetting sin; and every circum- 
stance and condition of life, its peculiar trials and 
temptations. To enumerate them all would be 
impossible. Some will assume one form and 
some another; some will come up at one time, 
and some at another ; some will attack us on one 
point, and some on another. Hence, it is of the 
utmost importance to be always on our guard. 
Among the most dangerous ones to which young 
men are exposed, are irreligious and immoral 
society ; useless and pernicious books and pa- 
pers ; dissipating and sensual amusements ; form- 



122 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

ing hasty schemes of pursuit, — particularly that 
of getting money ; indolence, and inattention to 
the interests of employers ; insubordination ; dis- 
honesty, profanity, giving place to anger and other 
improper feelings, thoughts, words, and acts ; dis 
regard for the Sabbath ; neglect of the Bible 
of prayer, and other moral and religious duties 
All these, and many others which might be enu 
merated, should be steadily and firmly avoided 
If they are not guarded against and resisted 
you will bring upon yourself swift destruction 
Yes, young man ! you have only to take off the 
checks of reason, of Scripture, of conscience, and 
permit your passions and appetites to control you, 
and your course is straight to perdition, — you 
are a lost man. If you would escape the fearful 
ruin, as a bird from the snare of the fowler, O, 
be entreated to resist and avoid temptation/ 
Look to God for help and strength to do so. 
Flee ! flee for your life to the stronghold of 
sovereign grace ; for only there can you escape 
the wiles that are in the world through lusts. 
Third : Not only is it necessary to have good 
principles, and to avoid temptations, but a dili- 
gent effort to be good is requisite in order to glorify 
and enjoy God. Negative and passive goodness 
is doubtful, and superficial at best. It lacks the 
peace and life-giving energy of the gospel. It 



DUTY OF THE EMPLOYED. 123 

is like feeding on the husks of which the swine 
did eat, instead of feasting on the bread of hea- 
ven, which God has provided and given for the 
life of the world. 

To be good, we do not wish to be understood 
to mean in one particular, but in every particular. 
Next to good principles, there should be good 
habits, — habits of industry, of sobriety, of early 
rising, of study, of punctuality, of benevolence, 
of perseverance, of devotion. We might dwell 
on the importance of such habits, but the limits 
of our work will not permit. The writer to whom 
we have just referred says, " The whole charac- 
ter may be said to be comprehended in the term 
habits" An extract from his pen on one or two 
habits may not be unacceptable to the reader, 
coming as they do from such a source. 

" All experienced people will tell you that the 
habit of using tobacco, in any shape, will soon 
render you emaciated and consumptive; your 
nerves shattered, your spirits low and moody; 
your throat dry, and demanding stimulating 
drinks ; your person filthy, and your habits those 
of a swine.' ' 

He is speaking of the habit of doing everything 
well. He says, "Anything that is worth doing 
at all, is worth doing well; a mind well disci- 
plined in other respects is defective, if it have 



124 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

not this habit. A young man, who unexpected- 
ly lost the affections of a young lady, of whom 
he was sufficiently fond, informed his friend, with 
a good degree of shrewdness, that he doubted 
not that he lost the prize from a very little cir- 
cumstance. She handed him a letter which she 
had been writing to a friend, and asked him to 
direct it. He did so, but in a manner so hurried 
and slovenly, (for it was his great ambition to 
be quick in doing anything,) that she blushed 
when she received it. From that little circum- 
stance her affections seemed to cool, until they 
were dead to him. His friend comforted him 
by saying, * she was more than half right/ 

"This incident 'is mentioned, not on account 
of its dignity, but to illustrate the point in hand. 
Everything should be done well, and practice 
will soon enable you to do it quickly." 

Fourth: To stop here would be wrong; — it 
is not enough : we should go still farther. To 
glorify and enjoy God, there must be sincere, con- 
stant, and faithful effort to benefit and save others. 
To be thus engaged is a sure test of true good- 
ness, — of Christ-like benevolence. It is the only 
sure path to honourable eminence in this world, 
and to eternal life in that which is to come. 

We might cite your attention to numerous in- 
stances in which apprentices, clerks, mechanics, 



DUTY OF THE EMPLOYED. 125 

and otter labourers have, by diligence and well- 
directed effort, risen step by step to great emi- 
nence and usefulness. But, whether eminence 
in this world is gained or not, it is the duty and 
privilege of every one to be useful, — to make the 
world better for his being in it. He that instru- 
mentally saves one soul from sin and misery, de- 
serves greater honour than if, like Alexander, 
he had conquered the world. "If any man 
serve me," saith the Saviour, "him will my Fa- 
ther honour." " Greater honour can no man have, 
than that which comes from God." This all 
may obtain, and retain forever. 

As some inducement to labour for the salva- 
tion of souls, and thereby honour the Saviour, 
we present the following brief sketches : — A 
pious young man, employed in a store, was called 
on one day by an unconverted friend, who mani- 
fested a deep seriousness for the salvation of 
his soul. The pious youth, having conversed a 
little with his friend, proposed that he should 
call again in the evening, and they would have 
a season of prayer together in the counting-room, 
after the store was closed. The proposition was 
acceded to, and while they were upon their bend- 
ed knees together, the young penitent broke forth 
in acclamations of joy, saying " 0, how I love 
you ! — I love everybody ! — I love Jesus !" His 



126 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

attention had been arrested and his feelings 
awakened to the subject of religion, from some 
remarks which were made by the pious young 
man in a prayer-meeting the evening previous. 
He is now a faithful and devoted Christian. As 
he has "freely received,' ' so may God help him 
to give as freely to others, and finally to finish 
his course with joy. 

Another incident is as follows : — Two clerks, 
with one of whom the writer has been acquaint- 
ed for some years, were engaged in the same 
store. One of them was pious, the other was 
not. The pious one often spake to the other of 
the love of Jesus, — of his own experimental 
knowledge of that love, and urged upon him the 
importance of obtaining the same invaluable 
blessing. A few years afterward, when they 
had for some time been separated from each 
each other, the pious clerk received a letter from 
the other, stating that he had given his heart to 
Jesus, and had espoused his cause and service. 
He also added, that the chief instrumentality of 
his conversion he attributed to the pious example 
and faithful conversations of his Christian friend 
while they were together in the store. They are 
now both ministers of the gospel. 

The following fact is another exhibition of the 
utility of personal Christian effort for the salva- 



DUTY OF THE EMPLOYED. 12 Y 

tion of souls. The writer has had the statement 
from both parties, and has also a personal know- 
ledge of some of the incidents connected with it. 
A young man who was faithfully engaged in 
carrying out the principle before us, left his na- 
tive State and took up his residence in Massa- 
chusetts. None of the large family with whom 
he lived were then connected with what is deno- 
minated an evangelical Church, although pos- 
sessed of very good moral character. The pious 
stranger, whom we shall call G — , found him- 
self far from all those public means of grace 
which he had been accustomed to enjoy ; and it 
is believed that for some time he had no Chris- 
tian acquaintance in the place. Notwithstand- 
ing his youth, and the discouraging circumstan- 
ces in which he was placed, he resolutely re- 
solved to maintain his regular seasons for secret 
prayer and the study of God's holy Word. It 
may be attributed, perhaps, to this fact, that he 
did not backslide, as too many do in similar cir- 
cumstances. 

There was another young man, an appren- 
tice, connected with this family, with whom, in 
the way of business, the pious G. was associa- 
ted. G. used frequently to converse with his 
impenitent friend on the subject of personal re- 
ligion, and finally promised to make him a sub- 



128 CHRISTIAN EFFOKT. 

ject of daily prayer till he should be converted, 
if, on his part, he would promise to pray for 
himself. The unconverted youth assented to the 
kind proposition of his friend, and for some time 
strove to be faithful to his engagement ; but not 
feeling any special interest in the things of reli- 
gion, he soon relinquished it. The pious and 
devoted G. still persevered, believing that "in 
due season he should reap, if he fainted not.'' 
A few months passed away, and the unconvert- 
ed young man, feeling restless and uneasy, wan- 
dered away one Sabbath from his usual place 
of worship, to attend another of a different de- 
nomination. ISTo sooner did he hear the text 
announced than convictions seized his mind, and 
he trembled under a consciousness of his lost 
and perishing condition while out of Christ. He 
thought of his praying friend, and his broken 
vow. He hastened home, and that evening re- 
solved to be a Christian. In the course of a few 
days he was rejoicing in a Saviour's love. Years 
have since passed away, but he seems still re- 
solved to make " his calling and election sure." 
The pious labourer, through whose instrumen- 
tality the feet of this youth were turned into the 
paths of righteousness, continued about six or 
eight years longer a burning and shining light ; 
and then, after a few davs' illness, died in the 



DUTY OF THE EMPLOYED. 129 

triumphs of Christian faith. " Let me die the 
death of the righteous, and let my last end be 
like his." 

We might multiply cases of this description, 
but deem it unnecessary. We will only add, 
that for faithfulness to their employers or masters, 
and also for their faithfulness to God, and to the 
souls of men, we would refer the reader to the 
history of Jacob, of Joseph, of Moses, of Daniel, 
and a host of others who have lived in every 
age of the world. Where can we find poorer 
persons, or persons more persecuted and afflict- 
ed, more laborious, more useful, and yet more 
honoured than these men ? Their record — their 
reward is on high. 

" Once they were mourners here below, 
And pour'd out cries and tears ; 
They wrestled hard, as we do now, 
With sins, and doubts, and fears. 

" I ask them whence their vict'ry came ; 
They, with united breath, 
Ascribe the conquest to the Lamb, 
Their triumph to his death. 

" They mark'd the footsteps that he trod, 
His zeal inspired their breast ; 
And following their incarnate God, 
Possess the promised rest." 

9 



130 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

DOMESTIC DEPARTMENT. 

Individuals in the more humble and obscure 
walks of life, frequently feel that their influence 
and labours are of little or no consequence : — a 
mistaken notion, as we shall endeavour to show 
in this chapter. It is an old proverb, that what 
has been done may be done again. If it is not 
true in everything, yet, doubtless, it is so in 
matters of this kind : we will therefore offer a 
few facts, for the encouragement of those to 
whom this department of our little volume is 
addressed. 

A large family, having occasion to employ a 
domestic for a few months, procured the services 
of a pious woman, who was very particular in 
the observance of her seasons for secret prayer, 
and other religious duties. At first the younger 
members of the household made many sneering 
remarks about her devotional habits, but they 
were endured with meekness and Christ-like 
patience. She did not, as some would have 
done, leave her situation for another of more con- 
genial character. Hers was the first practical 
commentary on the religion of Jesus which that 
family ever had. God owned and blessed it to 



DOMESTIC DEPARTMENT. 131 

the spiritual, and, it is believed, the eternal wel- 
fare of some of their precious souls. That pious 
woman now sleeps in Jesus ; and it may be pre- 
sumed she will have a higher seat in glory than 
those who ridiculed her consistent Christian 
conduct. 

The following is another pleasing incident of 
piety in humble life : — " In a family in the north 
of Ireland, a pious young woman was engaged 
as a servant. The poor girl was much ridiculed 
for her religion by the young ladies, but she did 
not render evil for evil ; but would allow them 
to laugh at her, and then mildly reason with 
them. She made it her study to be attentive 
and useful to them ; took opportunities to speak 
to them about religion; and would read the 
Sacred Scriptures to them when they went to 
bed. They commonly fell asleep in a little time 
under the sound ; but she was not discouraged. 
Having exemplified Christianity in her life, Pro- 
vidence sent a fever to remove her to a better 
state. The young ladies were not permitted to 
see her during her illness ; but they heard of 
her behaviour, which did not lessen the impres- 
sion which her previous conduct had made upon 
them. Soon after, the two elder made a profes- 
sion of religion ; the little leaven spread ; and 
now all the nine young ladies appear truly pious. 



132 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

Nor is religion in this highly-favoured family 
confined to them : other means were employed 
by God in producing this great change ; but one 
of the two first who became serious, informed 
me that she chiefly ascribed it to the life and 
death of the servant-maid. " 

We are not told what were the other means 
that God employed in this good work ; but pro- 
bably it was in answer to the prayer of faith 
offered by this poor girl, that God gave effi- 
ciency to the means which so happily resulted 
in the conversion of those persons. One thing 
is certain, that the prayer of faith, connected 
with a holy life, will produce what the most 
eloquent preaching fails to effect. Infidels have 
been known to quail beneath such influences, 
when argument and reasoning have seemed to 
confirm them in their skepticism. Pious domes- 
tics, who may be located in irreligious families, 
should study to adorn their Christian profession 
by a well-ordered life and godly conversation, 
" knowing that whatsoever good thing any man 
doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, 
whether he be bond or free." 

The following instance of the good influence 
of one in humble life, is given in the book al- 
ready quoted from, — " The Way of Holiness :" 
-—The writer says, " I called to-day to see 



DOMESTIC DEPARTMENT. 133 

H , the woman who was so greatly blest 

while living with us some time since. She has 
been sick several weeks, and is apparently just 
on the verge of heaven. On asking her whether 
she would not rather depart, and be with Christ, 
she replied, ' If raising my finger would decide 
the point, I would not dare to do it.' 

" Her health had become so infirm that it was 
necessary she should embrace the first opportu- 
nity which offered, of living where she would 
have but little to attend to. On going there, 
she found that the family in which she had en- 
gaged did not have family prayer, the husband 
being irreligious. H expressed her disap- 
pointment, and said she felt as if she could not 
stay in a family where she should be deprived 
of this privilege. She then modestly said to the 

lady, who was a Christian woman, ' If Mrs. 

will pray and read one morning, I will the next.' 
The lady consented to the proposal. The hus- 
band soon began to manifest interest on the 
subject of religion, and the Lord laid the weight 

of his soul on H 's mind in such a manner, 

that, to use her own language, she reeled as one 
intoxicated under the weight of her feelings. 
This intense excitement was more especially felt 
during one Sabbath. As she was going to 
church, she was so absorbed in travail of soul 



134 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

for him that she was forgetful of all around her, 
or where she was, and being unable to proceed 
to church, she sat down by the way, and con- 
tinued, she was not aware how long, in agony of 
soul for him. That night he went to the inquiry- 
room, became deeply awakened, and soon after- 
ward became a happy believer in Christ ; and 
in heaven will doubtless remember the humble 
individual who was instrumental in rearing the 
family altar.' ' 

The writer, having known some of the persons 
mentioned in the following interesting sketch, 
can more confidently present it to the readers of 
this volume, as affording more than ordinary en- 
couragement to be diligent and faithful in the 
calling which God may, in his providence, have 
assigned us. 

" A number of years ago, when the now ve- 
nerable Bishop H was stationed at Boston, 

he was surprised one morning by a call at the 
parsonage of a lady, whose costly dress and ele- 
gant manners indicated that she belonged to the 
highest circle of the polished society of that re- 
fined city. He was still more surprised when, 
after the usual introduction, she made known, 
with language direct and decided, her wish to 
unite with the humble society under his charge. 
She gave him her name, and the highest refer- 



DOMESTIC DEPARTMENT. 135 

ences in the city, for information respecting her, 
and retired, with an earnest request that he 
would consider her application till she should be 
able to have another interview. 

" This lady was a near relative of the celebra- 
ted John Hancock, whose name stands so promi- 
nent on the ' Declaration of Independence/ and 
in the history of his country. At the time of 
her visit to the Methodist parsonage, she was 
surrounded with all the resources and gayeties 
of her high sphere of life ; but that blessed Spirit 
which is given to all men had been striving with 
her mind, and had made use of an instrumenta- 
lity to lead her to the church, and to heaven, so 
remarkable as to deserve notice and commemo- 
ration. 

"While living in luxury, with no higher no- 
tions of religion than those afforded by the 
fashionable Unitarianism of the day, the provi- 
dence of God placed in her family a devoted 
Methodist servant-maid, to whom was afterward 
added also, in occasional service in the house- 
hold, a pious coloured woman of the same deno- 
mination. 

" The religious example and converse of these 
humble Christians could not escape the observa- 
tion of the lady of the house, — they were unos- 
tentatious ministries, which God had placed 



136 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

there, and with the exercise of which he honours 
his lowliest saints, whilst he withholds it from 
the angels of heaven. Their mistress became 
interested and thoughtful ; she once picked 
up one of their books, — it was a volume of 
Wesley's Sermons, — she opened it at the dis- 
course on the ' Witness of the Spirit/ What a 
mystical phrase ! She had never heard it in her 
own church ; but on reading the text it appeared 
obviously a proper, a Scriptural title. She read 
the sermon through. It poured a flood of light 
on her benighted spirit. If this was religion, she 
had never known it by experience. She read 
the volume through : it explained to her, for the 
first time in her life, the true character of per- 
sonal piety, and led her to the mercy-seat to 
seek it. Her deep and anxious convictions of 
sin were revealed to the devoted servants, and 
these lowly children, while labouring in her 
kitchen, became her instructors and guides in 
the way to heaven. She longed to hear a ge- 
nuine minister of Christ, who preached these 
new truths ; and for several evenings this votary 
of the fashionable world might have been seen, 
still arrayed in her gay apparel, following at a 
short distance, and with a throbbing heart, her 
coloured servant to the Methodist chapel. There 
she heard the same truths proclaimed by the 



DOMESTIC DEPARTMENT. 137 

living voice ; — their impression on her conscience 
was deepened — she sought with all her soul the 
pardoning mercy of God, and in a few weeks 
was 'justified by faith, and had peace with 
God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' 

" She had thus far kept her exercises of mind 
a profound secret, known only to herself and her 
pious servants ; she felt now that it was her 
duty, and her only safety, openly to confess 
Christ, and associate herself with his people. 
Too precious were the new truths and new sym- 
pathies which had possessed her soul, to allow 
her to seek a fashionable religious communion, 
where the reproach of the cross might be shun- 
ned ; the humble, but devoted people, whose 
agency had reached her, and led her to the 
? Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of 
the world/ were her decided choice ; and she 
called upon their pastor, as stated, to solicit ad- 
mission to their lowly fellowship. 

" In a few days she visited him again ; he had 
consulted her references, and ascertained her 
high family relations and excellent character. 
No misfortune or eccentricity of mind could ac- 
count for her decided predilection for the Me- 
thodist Church. She had been renewed in spi- 
rit, had consecrated herself to God, and, intent 
only on the salvation of her soul, resolved to 



138 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

place herself amidst such religious associations 
as would most effectually enable her to work out 
her salvation with fear and trembling ; and she 
justly inferred, that the obscurity and poverty 
of the Methodist band of that day would but 
render her connexion with them a more exem- 
plary proof of her love to their Redeemer, and 

increase her facilities for usefulness. Mr. H 

informed her, that there could be no objection 
to her reception among them, but assured her of 
the disparity between her circumstances and ha- 
bits and those of most of his people. He explain- 
ed to her also the disciplinary rules on dress. 

" Her reply was, that she had read the Disci- 
pline, had counted the cost, and was ready to 
conform to it. She was afterward publicly re- 
ceived at the altar of the church, attired in that 
beautiful simplicity which our Discipline and the 
spirit of our religion require ; and above all, with 
that spirit of meekness, that beauty of holiness, 
which forms the loveliness of piety on earth, and 
of angels in heaven. 

" She was ever after distinguished by eminent 
piety, and all its graceful fruits. In the church 
she found, as she had calculated, a useful field 
for her talents and resources. Her time was 
devoted to unostentatious charities. Not long 
after her remarkable change, the decease of her 



DOMESTIC DEPARTMENT. 139 

husband placed her large fortune entirely at her 
own command. She now consecrated herself to 
more abundant usefulness, — the poor, the sick, 
the widow and fatherless, and all the benevolent 
claims of the Church, were the objects of her 
sympathy and liberality. Thus rejoicing in hope 
of the glory of God herself, and dispensing hap- 
piness all around, her life became to her a scene 
of the purest blessedness. Ah ! if the rich and 
the fashionable, who, with satiated tastes and 
aching hearts, are ever turning from, and again 
returning to the hollow gaieties of the world, 
could but discern the serene enjoyment of the 
heart which throbs only to serve God and bless 
man, how would the attractions of frivolous 
pleasure change to disgust ! 

"For three years after the death of her hus- 
band, did this Christian lady thus minister, like 
an angel of mercy, to the necessities of the sick 
and poor. At the end of this period her Lord 
called her to her reward. Peacefully and with 
holy joy she passed to the society of the good 
above, with the tears and blessings of those who 
in humbleness of life, but with true hearts, had 
loved in her the similitude of their Lord. But 
if to do is to live, her life did not end with her 
death. In dying, she provided for its conti- 
nuance. One who has narrated the interesting 



140 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

facts of her short, but devoted pilgrimage, says, 
' that she appropriated in her will a liberal share 
of her estate to various benevolent objects.' To 
the minister who had received her into the 
church, and to his colleague, she left valuable 
legacies ; and to the church itself a perpetual 
fund for the support of its poor. 

" For the above facts I am indebted chiefly to 
the narrative mentioned ; but it was my lot per- 
sonally to witness another incident, which per- 
tains to the sketch. Many years after the de- 
parture of the " elect lady/' the providence of 

God placed me in pastoral charge of 

church. Though composed of several hundred 
members, devoted *and respectable, I found 
none more esteemed than an humble coloured 
woman, called " Mother Suma." Such was the 
purity of her Christian reputation, sustained 
through a long pilgrimage, that it was justly ap- 
preciated as the common and precious property 
of the whole church. Tranquil and uniform in her 
piety ; faithful through many years in every duty 
enjoined upon her ; singularly useful in her sphere, 
and exhibiting always those gentle affections so 
characteristic of the African character, her colour 
and cast seemed forgotten in a community where 
they were usually strongly distinguished. She 
was more than respected — she was beloved. 



DOMESTIC DEPARTMENT. 141 

" Not long after my arrival she died in peace. 
I officiated at her funeral. On entering her small 
rooms no one could fail to notice the impress of 
the good woman's mind ; everything was clean 
and extremely neat, instinct with that expression 
of homely comfort, so congenial to the tastes of 
tranquil and pious old age. Here had been her 
retired sanctuary, the scene of her daily medita- 
tion and prayers, where she daily expected her 
Lord and his ministering angels : and it seemed, 
in its whole interior aspect, to have been fitted 
for their reception. The aged saint lay in her 
coffin in the midst of it. I was affected to see 
the interest of all classes to pay her memory the 
last acts of respect. The rooms were crowded, 
and throngs stood around the door, unable to 
enter. The young were there, who had felt 
themselves instructed by the lessons of her holy 
life, — the veterans of the church, who had jour- 
neyed homeward with her from the beginning 
of their pilgrimage, wept around her remains — 
the choir, with their chorister, were there, to sing 
the adieus of the church to the emancipated 
spirit that had escaped from its earthly suffer- 
ings. And as we spoke of her excellences, and 
prayed that their memory might be a sweet sa- 
vour among us, many eyes wept, and many 
hearts felt how beautiful is a holy life, in even 



142 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

the lowliest vale of earth, and how serenely 
pleasant its end, and how hallowed its memory. 
More genuine regard accompanied that daugh- 
ter of Ethiopia to the grave than attends the 
departure of nobles or monarchs. 

"The reader will share my interest in this hum- 
ble saint, when I tell that ' Mother Suma' was 
the coloured servant who had guided the wealthy 
convert of the Hancock family to the Methodist 
chapel. As an aged member of the church was 
relating the fact to me, another stood by, one of 
its stewards, and remarked, that * the providence 
of God had singularly blessed the zeal of the 
pious negro to her own advantage ; that, during 
the latter and helpless years of her life, she had 
been comfortably sustained by aid from the pro- 
ceeds of the fund left by the very lady whom 
she had thus led into the path of life. Every 
month/ he continued, ' for a long time have I 
carried to her humble home the bounty of her 
deceased friend.' " 

How marvellously does the providence of 
God sometimes use the feeblest means for the 
noblest ends ! Despise not the day of small 
things, for " the excellency of the power is of 
God, and not of man." And remember, that in 
blessing others we bless ourselves. In this life 
we often reap a reward ; in the next, invariably. 



DOMESTIC DEPARTMENT. 143 

Before closing this chapter we will give one 
more instance of almost inimitable faith and true 
courage in one placed in humble circumstances. 
We allude to the little captive maid of the land 
of Israel, who waited on Naaman's wife: 
"Naaman was captain of the host of the king 
of Syria, and was a great man with his master, 
and honourable, because by him the Lord had 
given deliverance unto Syria." Naaman was 
afflicted with that dreadful disease, the leprosy ; 
but, notwithstanding the inveterate nature of 
this awful malady, the " little maid" believed 
that God was willing to make his power known 
not only to Naaman, but to his idolatrous nation, 
by effecting its cure. She accordingly commu- 
nicated her thoughts to her mistress, saying, 
" Would God my lord were with the prophet 
that is in Samaria ! for he would recover him of 
his leprosy ; and one went in and told his lord, 
saying, Thus and thus said the little maid that 
is of the land of Israel." Arrangements having 
been made by the king, Naaman went to see 
the prophet, and, in obedience to his prescrip- 
tions, was healed. 

This beautiful and inspired sketch should 
teach us that, in all circumstances, God can and 
will be honoured by the faith, piety, and efforts 
of his lowliest saints. If any class of persons 



144 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

are more nearly allied to the humanity of Jesus 
than others, it is the poor, — the more common 
people ; such were the ones who heard him 
gladly, and whom he chose to be with him in 
a most peculiar sense while tabernacled in the 
flesh. Among these were many women, who 
ministered unto his necessities, and of whom a 
poet sings : — 

"Not she with traitorous lips her Saviour stung; 
Not she denied him with unholy tongue ; 
She, when apostles shrunk, could dangers "brave, 
Last at his cross, and earliest at his grave." 

In most families employing domestics, there 
are more or less children. The opinion which 
they form of a person's piety is important ; hence 
every domestic should guard against all habits 
not worthy of a child's imitation ; and, for the 
sake of the child's influence in after life, and its 
present and eternal salvation, they should main- 
tain a holy and exemplary life before them. 

One word more : God has delegated to the 
poorest, the most obscure and feeble saint, the 
power to move the hand that moves the world. 
A domestic may, through grace, so contract the 
habit of believing prayer as to make the entire 
world feel its effect. Through this mighty wea- 
pon, she may help sustain the pillars of the na- 
tion ; speak to the hearts of thousands through 



DOMESTIC DEPARTMENT. 145 

the ministrations of the pulpit ; and through all 
the vast machinery of human life scatter the 
hallowing influences of the Holy Ghost. ! 
then, lay hold on this blood-bought privilege ! 
Come up in this way to the help of the Lord 
against the mighty. 

"Lord over all, sent to fulfil 
Thy gracious Father's sov'reign will, 

To thy dread sceptre will I bow ; 
With duteous rev'rence at thy feet, 
Like humble Mary, lo ! I sit ; 

Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth now. 

" Eenew thine image, Lord, in me ; 
Lowly and gentle may I be ; 

No charms but these to thee are dear ; 
No anger may'st thou ever find, 
No pride in my unruffled mind, 

But faith and heaven-born peace be there. 

" A patient, a victorious mind, 
That life and all things casts behind, 
Springs forth obedient to thy call ; 
A heart that no desire can move, 
But still to' adore, believe, and love, 
Give me, my Lord, my life, my all!" 
10 



146 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 



CHAPTER IX. 

HOW CHILDREN MAY DO GOOD. 

The design of this chapter is to give a few ex- 
amples of youthful piety and usefulness, to en- 
courage young persons to devote themselves in 
early life to usefulness and duty. The first 
sketch we shall give is that of Thomas Reader, 
taken from "Barker's Parent's Monitor. " He 
was born in 1725. His parents early taught 
him the great principles of religion, and it is 
said of his pious mother, that she would fre- 
quently take her children separately into her 
chamber, to impress their infant minds with a 
concern for their salvation. We are also told 
that it was " her custom, in the absence of her 
husband, when her children arrived at the 
age of fourteen, to put them on the exercise of 
family prayer, in consequence of which, it was 
not remembered that this duty had ever been 
once omitted in their house for more than forty 
years." 

" When Thomas was about eight years old, 
the house being one evening full of company, 
he had not a convenient place for his devotions ; 
but, unwilling to omit what he knew to be his 



HOW CHILDREN MAY DO GOOD. 147 

duty, he went into his father's wool-loft to en- 
joy the pleasure of communion with God. At 
first he felt some childish fears, on account of 
his lonely situation; but afterwards his mind 
was so filled with thoughts of God, and the 
joys of religion, that he soon forgot the gloomi- 
ness of the place." 

We could earnestly wish all our young read- 
ers would remember and imitate this example, 
and always, like Thomas, attend to the duty of 
secret prayer ; for if this duty is faithfully at- 
tended to, and in a right spirit, it will ensure 
present and eternal happiness. Thomas was 
remarkable for his observance of this duty. At 
one time, " during his childhood, a person being 
on a visit at his father's, Thomas was appointed 
to sleep with him. After the gentleman had 
retired to his chamber, the pious little boy 
knocked at the door, requesting him to let him 
.go through his room to an inner closet, which 
he used to frequent for the exercise of prayer. 
The conscience of the visitor severely smote 
him. What, thought he, is this little child so 
anxious to obtain a place for devout retirement, 
while I have never prayed in my life ? It led 
him to serious reflections, which, through the 
Divine blessing, was the happy means of his 
conversion ; and he afterwards became not only 



148 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

a true Christian, but a valuable minister of the 
gospel. 

" At the age of fifteen, Thomas was taken into 
the fellowship of the Church.' 9 He became a 
zealous and useful minister of Christ, and died 
at the age of sixty-nine. 

Another incident, from the same book, is very 
instructive. It relates to John Bailey, whom 
"his pious mother dedicated at a very early 
period to the service of God." From a child 
he knew the Holy Scriptures, and was by them 
made " wise unto salvation, through faith which 
is in Christ Jesus." He gave evidence of his 
gracious state by his habitual fear of God, and 
the practice of daily prayer. This was attended 
by one very remarkable and happy effect. His 
father was a wicked man ; and his mother took 
him, while he was a child, and calling the fam- 
ily together, caused him to pray with them. 
His father, hearing how the child prayed with 
the family, was so struck with conviction, that it 
proved the means of his conversion to God. 
This dear youth afterward became a preacher 
of the gospel. "In Ireland, in New-England, 
and other places, he laboured with great suc- 
cess, and suffered much in his Master's cause. 
He was a man of great holiness, and of so ten- 
der a conscience, that, if he had been but inno- 



HOW CHILDREN MAY DO GOOD. 149 

cently pleasant in the company of his friends, it 
cost him afterward some sad reflections, through 
fear that he had grieved the Holy Spirit of 
God." He had a very strong affection for the 
Bible, and on one occasion said, " 0, 'tis a dear 
book, — 'tis always new!" "His last words 
were," speaking of Christ, " O, what shall I say ? 
He is altogether lovely ! 0, all our praises of 
Him are poor and low things !" And then 
added, "His glorious angels are come for me !" 
A gentleman, with whom the writer has some 
acquaintance, has given the following account of 
his own conversion to Christ. In early life he 
had embraced the opinion that all men would 
finally be saved, whatever might be their charac- 
ter in this life. With these dangerous notions, 
and a heart estranged from God, he had entered 
upon the duties of a public-school teacher. 
Among his scholars was a little girl whose mind 
was interested in the things of religion . One day, 
while he was directing the studies of his school, 
he told her to write a piece of composition ; the 
child obeyed, and presented him with a serious 
religious address, with evident design on her part 
to benefit his soul. On receiving the address, 
and by glancing over it perceiving its character, 
he was displeased, and put it away without ex- 
amination. For this his conscience smote him, 



150 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

and he resolved to give it a perusal ; having done 
so, it produced upon his mind deep and serious 
impressions, which ultimately led him to Christ, 
as the Saviour of all who repent and believe on 
Him with a heart unto righteousness. This same 
gentleman became afterward a worthy member 
of an evangelical church, and entered on a course 
of study preparatory to the ministry. He is now 
preserved to be a watchman on the walls of Zion. 

We would say to every one who may read this 
sketch, Be encouraged to make what effort you 
can for the good of others. God is able to bless 
your feeblest endeavours, and will do so, if they are 
made with a single aim to honour and glorify him. 

Still another very interesting affair, with which 
the writer has been personally acquainted, is as 
follows : — A pious daughter, who was converted 
through the personal efforts of a Christian neigh- 
bour, was deeply interested for the conversion of 
her beloved mother, and consequently prayed 
and laboured almost incessantly for this object. 
She also sought the prayers and assistance of 
some of her Christian friends. It was not many 
weeks before the mother earnest]y sought the 
Lord, and received an evidence of His pardoning 
love. This mother, after her conversion, became 
eminent for her prayers and personal exertions 
in behalf of others. She thus lived about eight 



HOW CHILDREN MAY DO GOOD. 15 1 

years, and then triumphantly passed to the man- 
sions of eternal rest. When on her dying bed, 
she spoke in grateful terms of her daughter, — 
attributing, under God, the conversion of her 
soul to the faithfulness of this pious child. The 
surviving children of that devoted mother are 
unanimous in their testimony that they never 
knew, from the time of their mother's conversion 
to the day of her death, of her being in company 
with an unconverted person, if it were only for a 
few minutes, when there was a suitable oppor- 
tunity to converse with them about the welfare 
of their souls, but she did it. She was also much 
engaged in prayer for all such persons as she 
had spoken with. On one occasion a pedler 
came to her house, to whom she gave a tract, and 
at the same time besought him not to rest with- 
out an interest in Christ. Not long after this, 
one of her children providentially met this man, 
who stated the circumstance of her presenting 
the tract, and how faithfully she urged upon him 
immediate attention to the concerns of his soul ; 
and added that he had since found Christ, to the 
joy of his heart. How many others were thus 
blessed, eternity alone can reveal. 

The daughter also, who was thus happily in- 
strumental in the conversion of her beloved pa- 
rent, lived about ten years after that event, and 



152 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

then finished her course with joy. After bidding 
farewell to her relatives and friends who were 
about her bed, she exclaimed with her dying 
breath, "I am happy ! — I am happy ! ! — I am 
happy ! ! !" 

If we would thus triumphantly pass through 
death, we too should be diligent in the work 
of God, trusting in Jesus ; and then, like all the 
saints, we shall realize his power to save in that 
trying hour. 

The following is another instance of youthful 
piety and usefulness : — One of the children of 
a large family was brought to a knowledge of 
the truth. The parents were both unconverted. 
The pious child became deeply anxious for a 
change in her circumstances, thinking it would 
be impossible, situated as she was, to retain, for 
any length of time, the comforts of religion. In 
this she afterward saw that she was mistaken, for 
God verified his promises to her, " As thy day, 
so shall thy strength be ;" and, " My grace is 
sufficient for thee." 

One day, having visited the house of a neigh- 
bour on an errand, she was about stepping out 
of the door to return home, when a pious friend, 
who happened to be there, and who apparently 
felt the weight of responsibility which he knew 
was resting upon her, said, with evident emotion, 



HOW CHILDREN MAY DO GOOD. 153 

44 My child, you must pray a great deal !" This 
was all that he said, but it was enough. God 
accompanied it with the quickening energy of 
the Holy Ghost to her heart. It was remem- 
bered and felt by her through life. From this 
time she seemed to realize that the souls of her 
unconverted kindred were committed to her care. 

Amid many tears, conflicts, and trials, sur- 
rounded by continually opposing influences, she 
persevered in her Christian course about six 
years without seeing any of them converted, al- 
though some of them were frequently under se- 
rious awakenings. She used very often to re- 
tire at an early hour, — sometimes before sunset, — 
to her chamber, to pray for them individually, 
and thus continued these exercises so long as she 
could keep awake, or her physical strength would 
permit. In this way she spent much time upon 
her knees when the other members of her family 
were reposing upon their beds. 

About six years passed away before any of the 
family were converted to God, and then one 
after the other, till nearly the whole of that large 
family professed to find the " pearl of great price." 
She lived to see a number of them die happy in 
the Lord. Thus were the promises of God ful- 
filled to her faith, and she was permitted to 
realize, that " they that sow in tears shall reap 



154 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

in joy." Such instances should encourage young 
persons to seek the Lord early, and to enter 
heartily into his service. 

We have now shown some of the ways in which 
even children may do good; but if any of our 
young readers desire to be useful, they should 
remember that they must be good themselves in 
order to be prepared to do good to others. 

First ; a cheerful and hearty obedience to pa- 
rents and guardians is necessary. God requires 
this of every child ; and he that disregards this 
requirement, disobeys his best friend, — his hea- 
venly Father. He should also diligently attend 
to his Sabbath and week-day schools. This has 
much to do with our happiness and usefulness 
through life. He should be studious, and labour 
to be wise and good. Ignorance and wickedness 
tend to misery and disgrace, both in this world 
and in the world to come. He must try every 
day to benefit others as well as himself, — to 
make the world better for his being in it. 

Let every day begin and end with God, — in 
devout prayer, meditation, and reading of the 
Holy Scriptures. In all these things which have 
been named, let Perseverance be the motto. 
A habit of this kind is of very great importance. 
A spirit of diligent perseverance will accomplish 
wonders; and it should be remembered that 



HOW CHILDREN MAY DO GOOD. 155 

only by small beginnings every great point has 
been gained. The following rather singular story 
is an illustration of this sentiment : — " A Vizier, 
having offended his master, was condemned to 
perpetual captivity in a lofty tower. At night 
his wife came to weep below his window. ' Cease 
your grief,' said the sage ; ' go home for the pre- 
sent, and return hither when you have procured 
a live black beetle, together with a little ghee, 
(or buffalo's butter,) three clews, — one of the 
finest silk, another of stout pack-thread, and an- 
other of whip-cord, — finally, a stout coil of rope.' 
When she again came to the foot of the tower, 
provided according to her husband's commands, 
he directed her to touch the head of the insect 
with a little of the ghee, to tie one end of the 
silk thread around him, and to place the reptile 
on the wall of the tower. Seduced by the smell 
of the butter, which he conceived to be in store 
somewhere above him, the beetle continued to 
ascend till he reached the top, and thus put the 
Vizier in possession of the roll of silk thread. 
He then drew up the pack-thread by means of 
the silk ; the small cord by means of the pack- 
thread, and by means of the cord, a stout rope 
capable of sustaining his own weight, — and thus 
he escaped from the tower." 

Now, my dear reader, do not laugh over 



156 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

this story without taking the moral. Whatever 
good you would do, lay your plans, and then 

PERSEVERE. 



"We are but young — yet we may sing 
The praises of our heavenly King ; 
He made the earth, the sea, the sky, 
And all the starry worlds on high. 

"We are but young — yet we must die; 
Perhaps our latter end is nigh ; 
Lord, may we early seek thy grace, 
And find in Christ a hiding-place. 

" We are but young — we need a guide ; 
Jesus, in thee we would confide 
lead us in the path of truth, 
Protect and bless our helpless youth. 

"We are but young — yet God has shed 
Unnumber'd blessings on our head ; 
Then let our youth and riper days 
Be all devoted to his praise. 7 ' 



SEAMEN'S DEPARTMENT. 157 

CHAPTER X. 

SEAMEN'S DEPARTMENT. 

A variety of causes often induce young persons 
to quit their homes and friends, and their social 
and public advantages, for the privations and 
dangers of a sea-faring life. Speaking of these 
causes, the Rev. J. A. James, in his book en- 
titled, " The Young Man from Home," says — 
" In some cases it is a mere curiosity to see the 
world ; in others, a restless, dissatisfied, and in- 
dolent disposition ; in others, a still worse cause ; 
while in some it is a step to which they are call- 
ed by the plans of Providence, and which cir- 
cumstances render, if not absolutely necessary, 
yet every way proper." 

Few if any other pursuits are entered upon so 
inconsiderately as is generally the case in the 
choice of this one; and the motives that com- 
monly lead to the choice of it are in a great 
many cases wholly defective. The author just 
quoted says, they " are rarely laudable, and often 
criminal." So far as we have had opportunity 
for knowing, this declaration is too painfully true. 
There is not, however, so much blame to be at- 
tached to seamen for this state of things as some 
may imagine. Generally speaking., they are pos- 



158 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

sessed of a strong, generous, and adventurous 
disposition ; and if left in childhood without pro- 
per moral and religious training, it produces those 
painful results. Hence their parents and guar- 
dians must take a share of the responsibility. 

But it is not our object to find fault with the 
sailor, as though he were a sinner above others. 
No ! we can say, in sincerity of heart, — 

" There is something in the ' honest tar,' 
Whose home is on the distant sea, 
Within the wake of Neptune's car, 
That often brings him near to me." 

From our dwelling we can behold every vessel 
that sails in and out of the port of Boston. Thus 
situated, we could not, if we chose, forget the 
mariner. Every storm that sweeps over the sea 
and land, brings up to our mind the " perils of 
the deep ;" and God is our witness, how ardent- 
ly we desire that those who " do business upon 
the great waters/' may be prepared, through 
grace, to encounter these perils, and to pass, if 
called, without fear, through the billowy deep 
to the port of heaven. No class of men die so 
suddenly, and, to themselves, so unexpectedly. 
It is stated in the Sailors' Magazine, " that an 
average of at least three vessels and sixteen sail- 
ors are lost at sea every day, or more than one 
thousand vessels and five thousand and seven 



seamen's department. - 159 

hundred seamen every year !" How sudden and 
unexpected are sucli deaths ! The reflection is 
solemn and painful, — fearfully so; to the un- 
prepared and unrenewed sinner it is an awful 
plunge. 

Seamen not only die suddenly and unexpected- 
ly, but they die young, — they fall victims in the 
prime of manhood to the greedy sea. In look- 
ing over the report of deaths for nine months at 
the Seamen's Hospital on Staten Island, New- 
York, we notice that the average age of fifty-four 
seamen, who "died in that place during that 
time, was less than twenty-seven, and only two 
"were over fifty, and nearly two-thirds of the 
whole number were under thirty. Yes ! brother 
sailors, unquestionable facts prove that you are 
short-lived. Death is doing a quick and awful 
work for you. God is speaking to you, by the 
voice of his providences, in most decided and 
emphatic language. Will you hear and heed 
that voice ? Will you see to it that your soul is 
insured without delay, and your passport to hea- 
ven sealed with the King's signet ? What is done 
for you, and what you do for yourself, must be 
done quickly. It should be done to-day." 

" I was once," says a certain writer, " at sea 
in a storm. One of the passengers was greatly 
alarmed. ' Sir,' said a friend to him, ' is not your 



160 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

life insured ?' ' No,' was the reply ; ' is yours V 
6 Yes, long ago.' ' Where ?' 'In the insurance 
office above ; the best, because the safest, insur- 
ance office in creation. Get your name entered 
there, and you have nothing to fear. What if 
the winds blow and the waves roll ? What if this 
frail vessel goes to the bottom ? With your life 
insured there, all will be well.' e Yes, sir/ he re- 
plied, ' I know it, I know it, but — ' ' But what V 
' Now is not the time to do it/ 4 Yes it is — * Be- 
hold, now is the accepted time ; behold, now is 
the day of salvation/ " Yes, now is the time, 
the only time which God hath designated, in 
which life and salvation may be obtained. 

Those who are connected with a seafaring life 
may do much for the advancement of the Re- 
deemer's cause. Yes ! 

" Sailor! we need thee, to extend 
Thy hand to lost and rnin'd men, 
Thy noblest efforts to expend, 
To bring our race to God again." 

But there are many hindrances to the useful- 
ness of this class of persons, some of which we 
will now proceed to notice. 

One of these is, their profanity. Among sea- 
men, the use of profane language is a most preva- 
lent and debasing sin. " The Lord will not hold 
him guiltless who taketh his name in vain." 



SEAMEN'S DEPARTMENT. 161 

How* aggravated, then, must be the guilt of 
those who are perpetually trifling with the Divine 
name. Such cannot be useful in spreading 
abroad the Saviour's name, till the Lord shall 
"pour a pure language upon them." 

Intemperance is another common sin of the 
sailor when he is ashore. This is no less ruin- 
ous to the best interests of soul and body, than 
profanity. It prepares the way for almost every 
species of crime and wretchedness. Beware, 
then, of the first glass ! Shun the snare, lest you 
be taken and overcome ; and thus be prevented 
doing that good which you otherwise would do. 
A sailor just returned from a prosperous voyage, 
secured a good boarding-place, and a temperate 
room-mate, hoping thereby to escape the bondage 
of his former intemperate habits. Having eaten 
his supper in usual health, he was enticed into a 
dram-shop, and was there plied with liquor un- 
til he was unable to help himself. Late in the 
evening he was helped back to his lodgings, 
where he died in a few moments. Far from home, 
in the prime of manhood, and in a land of stran- 
gers, he fell a prey to the accursed arts of the 
rumseller.^ He had purposed to visit his poor 
widowed mother, to relieve her wants, and to 
make her comfortable ; but his purpose was 
never realized. How painful his fall ! How 

11 



162 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

heart-rending to her that bore him ! Let this, by 
no means a solitary incident, prove a warning to 
others to steer clear of the fatal whirlpool into 
which thousands have been drawn, and carried 
down the gulf of infamy and death. 

Sabbath-breaking is another prevalent sin 
among sailors, both on shore and on ship-board. 
When at sea, the same daily routine of labour is 
frequently performed as on other days. This 
is often exacted by the owners and officers of 
vessels. Thus the command to " remember the 
Sabbath-day, and keep it holy," is set at naught, 
and the sacred rights of the crew are violated. 
No wonder that sailors thus habituated to Sab- 
bath-breaking when at sea, should do so when 
on shore. Here let us suggest to owners and 
officers of vessels to consider seriously the solemn 
account which must soon be rendered at the bar 
of God, for this great wickedness. How will 
you stand before that tribunal ? O beware ! lest 
the blood of your brother's soul cry unto God 
in that day from the depths of perdition against 
you! 

See to it, then, while you may, that you are 
not accessory to their destruction, by allowing 
Sabbath-breaking and other sins to be committed 
which it is in your power to prevent. The call- 
ing of seamen subjects them necessarily to many 



seamen's department. 163 

privations ; these should not be increased beyond 
necessity. We would say to pious seamen, in 
view of these privations, Be not discouraged. 
Make the best efforts which your circumstances 
will permit for the observance of the Sabbath and 
other means of grace. Be much in prayer ; daily 
study the word of God ; engage on the Sabbath 
in no other than strictly religious and edifying 
conversation ; read good books. This should be 
resolutely determined upon by every Christian 
sailor. God will meet and bless with his ap- 
proving smiles all who do so. May sovereign 
grace assist you to be faithful in these duties. 

We would further suggest, that on going to 
sea you should furnish yourself with a stock of 
good reading, and exchange it one with another. 
Provide writing materials also, and use them 
too, in sketching passing events, for the benefit 
of those whom you leave at home, or for any 
other laudable purpose. Have a proper regard 
to health and cleanliness. Be patient and quiet 
under provocations and injuries ; render not rail- 
ing for railing, but contrariwise good for evil, 
blessing for cursing. An observance of these 
things will add much to your comfort and influ- 
ence. When on shore, look out for the " land- 
sharks." They are numerous. Would that this 
caution was not needed ; but of all the perils to 



164 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

which you are exposed, the perils on land are 
the most fatal. The prowling beasts of prey are 
on every hand to rob you of your money, your 
health, your reputation, your comfort, your life, 
your soul. Therefore be vigilant ; seek the " Be- 
thel," and mingle only with the people of God, 
unless you have strength to go among others as 
an honest physician among the sick, to do them 
good, and not to catch their diseases. 

We might continue our remarks, but prefer 
to present a few sketches concerning the work 
of God through the personal efforts of seamen, 
hoping it may be an inducement to others " to 
go and do likewise." 

The following account of a revival of religion 
on board the ship Uncas, when at sea, in which 
more than half the crew were hopefully con- 
verted, is given by the mate, and published in 
the " Sailors' Magazine." He says : — 

" We sailed from New-Bedford August 5th, 
1843. Nothing of a religious nature was al- 
luded to until December 12, 1843, when we 

spoke ship A , Captain B., who came on 

board, and took tea with us. A blessing was 
asked by him, of that God whom he professed 
to love. I date the moving of the Spirit of God 
on our hearts at the simple performance of this 
duty by Captain B. Soon after Captain B. left, 



SEAMEN'S DEPARTMENT. 165 

I held some conversation with Captain G., of 
our ship, on the subject of religion, my mind be- 
ing much exercised with the importance of living 
and being an active Christian. I found, like 
myself, that Captain G. was impressed with the 
importance of living a holy life. He told me 
nothing would be more pleasing to him than to 
have the ship's company become pious. We 
often conversed on the subject of religion ; but 
nothing of importance transpired until the 26 th 
of March, 1844, when Captain G. spoke to me, 
informing me he had a duty to discharge ; that 
he could not withstand any longer the convic- 
tions of his conscience. It was a duty upon 
which his eternal interest hung; a duty he 
owed to his God, to himself, to his pious wife 
and friends, who had long prayed for him : that 
duty was, to commence prayer with his officers 
and crew. He wished me to accompany him : 
I assented; that evening we joined in prayer 
together in the cabin, in behalf of ourselves and 
our shipmates. The following evening all hands 
were notified of a prayer-meeting, which nearly 
all attended, and three requested an interest in 
our prayers. 

" Our meetings were continued every evening, 
when the weather permitted : the third evening 
there were four rejoicing in the Lord ; and so it 



166 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

continued until the fifth of April, when there 
were fifteen that had indulged hope, and were 
enjoying ' that peace which is like a river, and 
that righteousness which is like the waves of the 
sea.' 

"Two more of the crew were converted on 
our passage home. 

" We sustained our meetings from the com- 
mencement until our arrival in this port ; and 
when we parted, it was with tender feelings, but 
not as those who part without hope. We parted 
with the hope of meeting again beyond the 
grave, ' where the wicked cease from troubling, 
and the weary are at rest.' " 

The following thrilling narrative we gather 
from the same source as the preceding one. It 
is an extract from the report of a seamen's 
chaplain on the river Thames. He says, at the 
close of a public religious meeting, which he 

held on board the M : " I was led to speak 

to a sailor, superior in his appearance, who 
had prayed with great earnestness and propri- 
ety at this meeting. 

" ' Well, friend, how was your mind first se- 
riously impressed ?' 

" ' Why, sir, my conversion was rather singu- 
lar. Eighteen months ago I left England on an 
eighteen months' voyage to the Cape of Good 



SEAMEN'S DEPARTMENT. 167 

Hope, the Isle of France, &c. Our crew con- 
sisted of nineteen men, including the captain and 
mate. The books that I took to sea were a Bi- 
ble, a hymn-book, and Baxter's Saint's Rest. I 
had read the last before at home, again and 
again. But not long after we had been at sea, 
I was one night reading it, when my mind was 
so powerfully affected that I was compelled at 
once to cry aloud to God to have mercy on my 
soul. My fellow-seamen said I was going out 
of my mind. But I continued to pray, and God 
was graciously pleased to hear and answer my 
requests. I then spoke to the cook seriously 
and solemnly about his soul, and prayed to God 
for myself and the whole ship's company. The 
cook's mind became religiously impressed, and 
he soon joined me in reading the Scriptures and 
prayer ; and he became decided for God and his 
cause. We now united together to admonish 
and exhort our brother sailors to prepare for 
death and eternity. After this another and an- 
other joined us, and we met in the dog-watch, 
from 6 o'clock to 8, to hold a prayer-meeting, 
and wrestle with God in earnest supplication for 
our own souls' salvation, and the conversion of 
the crew. The mate next engaged our attention. 
He could not attend our meeting until twelve 
o'clock : for his benefit, therefore, we altered the 



168 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

time of our meeting, and assembled always after- 
ward at that hour until we arrived at the Cape. 

" ' Our frequent meetings for prayer, and ad- 
monitions to the men, produced a most favour- 
able change in their conduct ; so much so, that 
the captain being much pleased therewith, when 
we arrived at the Cape of Good Hope he went 
ashore, and bought hymn-books for the sailors, 
and made a present of one to each of his men, 
as well as other books for their use on their 
passage home. 

" ' On returning to England, the captain allowed 
us to have our prayer-meetings on the quarter- 
deck, and attended them himself. We felt grate- 
ful for this favour, and at every meeting our 
captain was prayed for especially ; and the result 
was, the captain was converted — the cabin then 
became our house of prayer — and the whole 
crew were new creatures in Christ Jesus before 
we returned. 

" On our arrival home, after we had been paid 
off from the ship, we resolved, seventeen in 
number, to remain together while we were on 
shore ; and for this purpose we took a house in 
the neighbourhood of the London Docks, where 
we lodged and boarded. We continued to do 
on shore what we had done on board of ship, 
namely,.— read the Bible, pray to God, and sing 



SEAMEN'S DEPARTMENT. 169 

his praises. We remained together as long as 
we could, but at last were reluctantly called to 
part. We separated with many tears, and our 
little company have gone to the north, to the 
south, to the east, and to the west ; and here 
am I, and perhaps shall not see any of them 
again until I meet them at the judgment-seat of 
Christ.' " 

Blessed company ! You will soon meet 
there ; and, if faithful to the end of life's short 
voyage, you will be welcomed to the port of 
everlasting blessedness, where parting shall be 
known no more. 

Similar sketches might be continued, but these 
suffice to show the good influence which at- 
tends faithful Christian effort in behalf of the 
sailor, as well as of others. We do not know 
a class of men more susceptible of a kindness 
than seamen, especially when poor, or sick, or 
otherwise afflicted. "When ye will, ye may do 
them good." Then 

"Heed, heed the wandering sailor, 

On the land, or on the sea ; 

For his precious soul's salvation, 

Often lowly bend the knee." 

The Saviour, while sojourning on the earth, 
often mingled with those who obtained their 
livelihood upon the water. He resorted to their 



1*70 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

ships, and taught them the way of life and sal- 
vation ; and, from among them, he chose some 
of his most intimate and efficient labourers. 
Such he ordained and commissioned to go " into 
all the world, and preach the gospel to every 
creature ;" such, he chose to defend it against the 
assaults of the learned and great ones of the earth. 
Thus he would convince us, that it is not 
through the excellency of human speech, wis- 
dom, or power, that souls are saved. God works 
by the instrumentality of his saints, — whether 
they are learned or unlearned, whether rich or 
poor ; whether master or servant, sailor or lands- 
man: "The secret of the Lord is with them 
that fear him." An instance of this may be 
seen in the twenty-seventh chapter of Acts. 
We learn in this chapter, that the Apostle Paul 
was a prisoner on board a ship containing two 
hundred threescore and sixteen souls. Although 
thus situated, he manifested a deep interest for 
the welfare of that large company. He coun- 
selled and admonished them ; but they heeded 
it not. An angel came and made known unto 
the apostle what was about to transpire among 
them, and to encourage his heart, said, " Fear 
not, Paul ; lo, God hath given thee all them 
that sail with thee, for there shall be no loss of 
any man's life, but of the ship." Paul there- 



SEAMEN'S DEPARTMENT. 1*71 

fore declared this Divine message to trie com- 
pany, and expressed his confidence and faith 
by saying, " I believe God that it shall be even 
as it was told me." The sequel showed that 
God verified his word to his servant, — not a 
man perished, although there were so many ; 
but the vessel went to pieces. 

The owners and officers of the ship no longer 
rejected the counsel of the devoted prisoner. 
They dared not do it ; they saw that God was 
with him, and " did let none of his words fall 
to the ground." Thus it is with every truly 
devoted Christian. Wherever he may go, 
wherever he may be, an involuntary homage is 
rendered to that religion whose transforming 
power restores man to his pristine beauty and 
excellence. 

In conclusion, we would say to our seafaring 
friends, " Trust none but God ; live supremely 
for Christ ; rely upon the Holy Ghost ; look for 
your reward above earth, and beyond time." 

May the " God of heaven, which hath made 
the sea and the dry land," shield you amid the 
perils attendant on life's short voyage, and 
finally bring your vessel, richly laden with souls, 
— the fruits of your labours, — to the port of 
immortal bliss. 



172 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

CHAPTER XI. 

COMBINATION OF PERSONAL EFFORT. 

It is a true saying, that union is strength. This 
is emphatically true in matters of benevolent 
and Christian efforts. The Bible affords us 
many precious attestations of this fact : — " One 
shall chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand 
to night.' ' In sending out the twelve, and the 
seventy disciples, to promulgate the Gospel, 
Jesus " sent them two and two before his face 
into every city and place, whither he himself 
would come." In dealing with a wayward dis- 
ciple, he also said, " If he will not hear thee, 
then take with thee one or two more, that in 
the mouth of one or two witnesses every word 
may be established." Then again, in reference 
to prayer, he says, " If two of you shall agree 
on earth as touching anything that they shall 
ask, it shall be done for them of my Father 
which is in heaven." In another chapter, on 
the power of prayer, will be found a blessed 
fulfilment of this promise. 

Without a spirit of union, no two individuals 
can walk or labour together so as to promote 
the interests of Zion. It is, doubtless, owing to 



COMBINATION OF PERSONAL EFFORT. 1^3 

a lack of this spirit in the churches that revivals 
of religion are so few and short-lived. God 
cannot, consistently with his government, bless 
a church where the spirit of an Achan dwells. 
In one, and we know not in how many other 
instances, the Divine blessing has been withheld 
from the whole camp of Israel on account of 
the wrong spirit and acts of one individual. It 
is feared very few churches exist at the present 
day where there are no such hindrances to the 
work of God. Dear reader, is thy heart right 
with the Holy One of Israel ? And is it right 
toward his people ? If not, you are " standing 
in the way of sinners." let us individually 
search and try our ways ! 

The writer, some years since, became con- 
vinced that if ever the gospel shall be preached 
in all the world and to every creature, there 
must be a coming back to primitive usages, 
when every Christian was a labourer for God 
and the souls of men. The pulpit in those days 
was not so exclusively depended on as at the 
present time. Every individual Christian, in his 
or her sphere, is called to be a witness and la- 
bourer for Jesus ; and in so doing, souls may and 
will be saved, whatever may be the condition 
of the Church as a body, or the character of her 
pulpit ministrations. Organizations do not, — 



174 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

cannot destroy individualism. When this fact 
is recognized, and union is based upon such a 
principle, then it is that combined Christian in- 
fluence and effort are mighty in pulling down 
the strongholds of sin and error. 

The love, the confidence, and the union of 
spirit which David and Jonathan possessed, ex- 
hibit to our mind the feeling and principle 
which should bind together the hearts that 
would labour for the salvation of souls. But 
we shall not enter into the theory of our subject, 
but rather rely on the facts and incidents which 
it is our object to present to illustrate and en- 
force the duty in question. The following, it is 
thought, can hardly fail to encourage the pious 
reader to renewed exertions in the cause of our 
blessed Redeemer. 

In 1839, three pious females covenanted toge- 
ther to labour for the conversion of the husband 
of one of them. This man was a great trifler 
with the subject of religion ; he very seldom at- 
tended the public worship, and was in the habit 
of indulging at times very freely in intoxicating 
drinks. These things, and some others which 
might be mentioned, made his case apparently 
one of the most discouraging on which to try 
the power of Christian faith and effort. The 
result of this case should teach us that nothing 



COMBINATION OF PERSONAL EFFORT. 1?5 

is too hard for God — that with him all things 
are possible. 

Through Divine assistance, these pious friends 
resolved to pray for this man's conversion. At 
the time of this engagement he knew nothing 
of it ; neither did they let him know it till after 
he became deeply serious and apparently peni- 
tent. These Christian labourers narrowly 
watched, so far as they were able, all his move- 
ments. The first omens of good which were 
discoverable about him, were his occasionally 
taking up the Bible to read before retiring to 
rest at night; then he began to attend public 
worship a part of the day on the Sabbath ; in a 
few weeks after, he would go all day, and then 
occasionally to a week-evening prayer-meeting, 
and would sometimes kneel in his family while 
prayer was offered in his behalf. These indica- 
tions of Divine influence upon his heart were 
grasped with eager gratitude by his anxious 
friends, and by them they were led to hope for 
a speedy answer to their united petitions. Per- 
haps, as the sequel will show, these Christians 
erred just at this critical point; their faith par- 
tially relinquished its grasp on the promise of 
God, and began to mingle itself with the grati- 
tude which they felt at the encouraging appear- 
ances, He fell back again to his old habits, and 



176 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

his convictions in a great measure left him. 
When his praying friends saw this, they again 
rallied, with renewed strength and purpose of 
soul, for the rescue. Their prayers became 
more frequent and fervent, mingled with fast- 
ings and tears. Their faith again took a stronger 
hold on the throne of heaven. God was en- 
treated to give the Holy Ghost in such power- 
ful effusions as to compel him to cry out, like 
sinking Peter, " Save, Lord, or I perish !" 
These prayers were answered; his convictions 
returned with redoubled power, while the pro- 
vidences of God seemed to work against him, 
and conspire to make him miserable. He felt 
convinced that it was all for his opposition to 
the command of God to "repent and be con- 
verted.' ' At length, after a conflict of about 
two years' continuance, he yielded to the power 
of grace, and was accepted in the Beloved. 

When received into the Church, he publicly 
testified to the faithfulness of these Christian 
friends, attributing, under God, his conversion 
to their instrumentality. 

About six or seven years after this blessed 
change, the writer learned from his pious com- 
panion that he was still a member of the church, 
and was adorning his profession by a pious life. 
Her gratitude to God seemed inexpressible. 



COMBINATION OF PERSONAL EFFORT. 1*7 7 

Blessed woman ! blessed family ! All were thus 
made happy through the abounding goodness of 
God, in answer to the faithful and united prayers 
of his handmaidens. 

Christians, in making combined effort for 
souls, should proceed with the utmost caution 
and prudence. If the sinner suspects anything 
like a secret conspiracy to turn him from his 
course, and to make him a proselyte to a party, 
he will very likely resist every effort which can be 
made by his friends to save him. With some 
individuals, open combat would be the most ju- 
dicious and successful ; but, with others, well- 
directed private attacks would do best. To 
discern and take the right course, the wisdom 
which is " profitable to direct" will be necessary : 
" If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God," 
in faith, and he shall have it. 

When private attacks are to be made upon a 
sinner by a number of Christians, arrangements 
should be made so as to act in concert. For 
instance, let each one, or such ones as can con- 
sistently do so, labour alone in succession, or 
otherwise, with the sinner, and then meet to talk 
and pray over the subject. If the sinner mani- 
fest becoming seriousness, bring him into the 
company, and pray with him as well as for him. 
Here let it be remarked, that those Christians 

12 



178 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

who thus labour, should be very careful how 
they betray the confidence which a sinner may 
repose in them ; great evils have resulted from 
such ungenerous conduct. Every pious friend 
of the impenitent who has extorted a confession 
of the sinner's feelings, or to whom the confes- 
sion is voluntarily made, should never betray 
them, unless it is clearly manifest that it will be 
for his own advantage ; and then to such only as 
can be trusted, and who will do all in their power 
to rescue the deathless spirit from ruin. 

We would here suggest to that professor of 
religion, whose outward life at some former pe- 
riod has not corresponded with his profession, 
to approach the sinner with a confession of his 
own short-comings and waywardness, and give 
due praise to God for his redeeming grace : for 
it will be in vain for one to labour for the spiritual 
welfare of souls, who has not the confidence of 
those for whom he is engaged. Such a confes- 
sion, too, will often do much toward opening the 
sinner's heart, and to prepare him to receive the 
reproofs and admonitions that may be given. 
Before the professor can get at the sinner's heart, 
he must lay his own not only at the feet of Jesus, 
but, if need be, at the feet of the sinner also. 
Paul was not ashamed to " become all things to 
all men," if he could but win them to Christ. 



COMBINATION OF PERSONAL EFFORT. 1*79 

Rev. Robert Young, in his volume entitled, 
" Suggestions for the Conversion of the World," 
remarks, that " the parties adopting this mode 
of working," that is, making personal efforts to 
save souls, ' must be careful to use the divinely 
appointed means in the way most likely to pro- 
duce the desired result. It is not enough for a 
Christian merely to speak to a sinner about his 
soul, but he must speak fitly ; for a ' word fitly 
spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of sil- 
ver.' There must be a fitness, not only in the 
character and manner of the speaker, but in his 
spirit and manner of speaking ; or, instead of 
softening, he will harden the hearts of those to 
whom he speaks, and excite powerful prejudice 
against the gospel of Christ. An abrupt and 
uncourteous manner, and a harsh and domineer- 
ing spirit, are not only inconsistent with the 
Christian character, but they render that which 
is spoken, however good in itself, unfit for edifi- 
cation. ' Speaking the truth in love/ is the rule 
which the apostle lays down." 

In the volume last named, we are told of 
" three young men, private members of the Wes- 
leyan Connexion, of most fervent and decided 
piety," who adopted the principle we are now 
endeavouring to enforce; "and so successful 
were their efforts that above thirty persons, of 



180 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

whose conversion no rational doubt could be en- 
tertained, were in one year led to the sinner's 
Friend by their truly benevolent exertions. 

"We have also known classes in the Wesley- 
an Connexion," says the same author, " act upon 
this principle ; and, generally speaking, they have 
in the course of one year doubled their numbers ; 
and one class for a considerable time doubled 
its number every quarter, and was divided four 
times a year." 

Let others resolve to "go and do likewise." 
If the maxim of the immortal Carey were adopt- 
ed, to wit : " Attempt great things — expect great 
things" then would great things be done. God 
is able, he is willing ; yea, he waits to have the 
tithes brought into his house, into his service, 
that he may " open the windows of heaven, and 
pour out such a blessing that there shall not be 
room enough to contain it." 

Before closing this chapter, we will give one 
more brief incident to show that God sometimes 
merges the influence and efforts of his people in 
such a manner that they do not perceive any 
outward fruits of their labours ; nevertheless, to 
the eye of faith it visibly exists. He who hath 
said, " Cast thy bread upon the waters," has 
also said, " thou shalt find it after many days." 
"Ye know," says the apostle, that "your labour 



COMBINATION OF PERSONAL EFFORT. 181 

is not in vain in the Lord." " In due season ye 
shall reap," — if not in time, ye shall in eternity. 
Be encouraged then to labour faithfully, and 
leave the result with God. 

A gentleman, known to the writer, for whose 
salvation many Christians had prayed and la- 
boured, personally and unitedly, was converted 
when alone in his house, with the exception of 
one member of his family. On being asked to 
state, if he could, the instrumentality of his con- 
version, he thought awhile, and finally replied, 
that so many Christians had been made a bless- 
ing to him, that he could not fix his mind on 
any one in particular. This is the case with a 
great many, perhaps the majority of those who 
are saved. It may be in answer to the secret 
prayer of faith, offered by some obscure Chris- 
tian, that a sinner is publicly reached through 
the ministrations of the pulpit; or, through 
some afflicting dispensation of God's providence. 
Happy will it be for any Christian, to be a par- 
ticipant in any way in such a work as that of 
saving a soul from death. And how happy too 
is the reflection that God knows how to do it, 
and will, in a coming day, apportion unto every 
individual labourer that recompense of reward 
which he has promised. 



182 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

CHAPTER XII. 
ON VISITING. 

Our social relations, and the intercourse of 
friends, open a wide and inviting field for Chris- 
tian usefulness. Were this field properly regard- 
ed, and cultivated as it should be, there would 
be an end to the making of idle calls, and of the 
sinful and senseless gossip that too often occupies 
the time of professors of religion. This evil is 
more extensive and injurious to the welfare of 
the Church than many are aware of; and one 
that calls loudly for reform. Our time is too 
precious to be squandered upon such follies, and 
the consequences depending on the proper use 
of our time are too momentous to be disregard- 
ed, — for 

* A point of time, a moment's space, 
Removes us to that heavenly place, 
Or shuts us up in hell." 

If this were always kept in mind, we would find 

" No room for mirth or trifling here, 
For worldly hope or worldly fear^ 
Since life so soon is gone." 

Our words, too, as well as our time, are con* 
nected with momentous consequences. In the 
volume of inspiration we are told, that " by thy 



ON VISITING. 183 

■words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words 
thou shalt be condemned." Also, "Every idle 
word that men shall speak, they shall give ac- 
count thereof in the day of judgment." There 
are very few who cannot speak an occasional 
good word, and fewer still who speak only good 
words. In visiting, especially, we should be 
very careful to utter nothing that may tend to 
injure others, in their feelings, character, or bu- 
siness. We should also constantly endeavour to 
make some impressions favourable to the cause 
of God and the good of souls, — such as we shall 
rejoice to remember at the judgment- seat of 
Christ. 

When we meet our friends, and exchange with 
them our friendly greetings, the welfare of the 
soul as well as that of the body should be in- 
quired after, and appropriate answers elicited. 
If friends should meet in such a spirit, they 
would be more likely to maintain a proper state 
of mind during their continuing together. No 
point more imperatively demands our watchful- 
ness than this ; for, as St. James has taught us, 
" If any man offend not in word, the same is a 
perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole 
body. 

"In conversing on religious subjects with 
others," says Bickersteth ; " in going to the poor 



184 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

and afflicted; in waiting for others; in going 
from one place to another; in visiting your 
friends ; in coming to the house of God ; in hear- 
ing his word ; — in these, and various other cir- 
cumstances of our lives, the heart of the devout 
Christian will be sending upwards many a secret 
petition ; he will be silently wrestling with God, 
and gaining that divine blessing on all in which 
he is engaged, which others lose by carelessness 
and indifference.' ' 

It is an evidence of a want of lively spirituality, 
for Christians to be accustomed to meet and part 
without social prayer. " Were your social meet- 
ings thus sanctified," says the writer last named, 
" the occasional intercourse of dear friends would 
be more blessed than it is ; you would find it a 
means of grace, and would enjoy, in a much 
higher degree, the privilege of the communion 
of saints. Those who have the holy fire may 
be the means of enkindling the sacred flame in 
others. You would receive a greater blessing 
than you have done in all your family and social 
relations." Why is there so little social prayer 
among those who are commanded to " pray al- 
ways ?" Where there is a real purpose of heart 
to do this duty, there will commonly be found a 
way for its performance. Let prayer, then, be 
offered, whenever practicable, in all our social 



ON VISITING. 185 

visits. When such exercises are expected to 
close a social interview, that expectation will 
exercise a chastening influence upon the whole 
company, and most effectually restrain any ten- 
dency to trifling or uncharitable conversation. 

A pious lady was called, in the order of Provi- 
dence, to visit a family of some six or eight per- 
sons. While there, she felt a solemn responsi- 
bility relative to the salvation of those precious 
souls thus providentially committed to her faith- 
fulness. She accordingly looked to God for 
wisdom and strength, that she might discharge 
in a becoming manner her difficult and important 
duties, and according to her faith it was done 
unto her. In the course of a few weeks, through 
her repeated visits, conversations, and prayers, 
salvation came to that house, and two of the 
family were made partakers of everlasting life. 
Mrs. C, a Christian lady of our acquaintance, 
gives us the following sketch, which is pertinent 
to our theme : — Her mother was a devoted Chris- 
tian. The sickness which terminated her life was 
a lingering consumption, which for a long time 
deprived her of the public means of grace. Du- 
ring this time her class-leader, Mr. W., visited 
her, and prayed with her almost every week. 
It so happened that, after her mother's death, 
she did not see the devoted class-leader for 



186 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

about ten years, when they providentially met 
as visiters at the house of an acquaintance. Mr. 
W. inquired of Mrs. C. whether she was a Chris- 
tian, and making her way to heaven ? She replied 
in the negative ; at which he remarked, " Well, 
when you are as good as your mother was, you 
will be fit for heaven.' ' He said no more to her, 
but turned his conversation to others who were 
present. Mrs. C. remarked that had he entered 
into a lengthy conversation with her in that com- 
pany, and at that time, she should have been ex- 
ceedingly vexed with him; but as it was, he 
said enough to sustain his Christian influence, 
and his discreet allusion to her departed mother 
touched the tenderest feelings of her heart. 
"From that time," said Mrs. C, "his words 
sounded in my ears, and suggested many queries 
to my mind, whether I should ever be so good 
as my mother. These impressions continued to 
deepen, till I was led, through grace, to come 
out from the gayeties of the world and submit 
my heart to Christ." "A word fitly spoken, 
how good it is !" 

In September, 1841, a young lady was visited 
by a pious friend, and conversed with on the 
subject of personal religion. She confessed she 
felt the need of it, and acceded to a proposition of 
her friend to unite their prayers for her conver- 



ON VISITING. 187 

sion. They prayed for seven days for this ob- 
ject, when she found the Saviour precious to 
her soul. She still remains to attest the value 
of faithful Christian visiting. We would call 
particular attention to the proposition of that 
pious friend to unite their prayers for her con- 
version. It is a most happy and useful way to 
proceed with partially awakened persons, and 
such as are halting between two opinions. 
Many have thus been led to a permanent decis- 
ion, and, no doubt, will eternally praise God for 
it. In December, 1841, a pious labourer in his 
Master's vineyard visited a man under some con- 
cern of mind ; he pointed him to " the Lamb of 
God which taketh away the sin of the world," 
and prayed with and for him ; and urged him to 
attend meeting the next evening. He did so. 
His pious friend laboured much with him, and 
finally succeeded in persuading him to go for- 
ward for prayers in his behalf; and there the 
Lord spoke peace to his soul. He united with 
the Church, and is now walking in the narrow 
way which leads to life. This last case shows 
us the importance of being diligent in urging 
forward awakened souls from step to step, till 
they become the happy recipients of saving 
mercy, and are well established in the Christian 
course. 



188 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

Another instance of faithful visiting relates to 
a young convert who afterward became exten- 
sively useful in his personal efforts for and with 
individuals. He made his first exertion in be- 
half of a young lady, who lived neighbour to him, 
whom he visited, and tried to persuade her to 
seek the Lord. She became serious ; so much 
so, that those who knew her took notice of it ; 
there was much hope in her case. But she 
soon after visited some of her acquaintance who 
denied the great truths of Christianity, and ri- 
diculed experimental religion as enthusiasm, 
and by them she was again turned away from 
her seriousness. After her return her pious 
friend renewed his efforts in her behalf, and urged 
upon her a preparation for death, as her health 
was fast failing. Again the Lord melted her 
hard heart to contrition and godly sorrow. 
She now sought an interest in the Saviour, 
through repentance and faith in his atoning 
blood, and was soon made happy in his pardon- 
ing love. She lived but a short time after this ; 
but it was sufficiently long to afford her Chris- 
tian friends a pleasing evidence that her precious 
soul had been renewed by the Spirit of grace. 
She warned others of their danger and exhorted 
them to seek the Lord, and then fell asleep in 
Jesus. Was not this a brand snatched from the 



ON VISITING. 189 

burning ? Christians ! take courage ; persevere 
in your efforts, and follow poor sinners, like this 
devoted labourer, down to the very gates of 
death before you give them up for lost. Visit 
them often and faithfully ; remember the thief 
on the cross, saved in the last hour. While 
there is life, there is hope. 

An important part of the duty now under 
consideration is visiting the sick. Great stress 
is laid upon this in the Scriptures. St. James 
declares that " pure religion and undefiled be- 
fore God and the Father is this, To visit the 
fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and 
to keep himself unspotted from the world ;" and 
our Lord, in describing the process of the day 
of judgment, makes attention to, or neglect of 
this duty, the mark of distinction between the 
righteous and the wicked. Probably there is 
no condition into which the providence of God 
brings unconverted persons, more favourable to 
the success of Christian efforts than when they 
are laid on their sick-beds. At such times the 
Holy Spirit generally co-operates with the hand 
of Providence in arousing the conscience, and 
alarming the guilty fears of the soul. Much 
prudence and skill are requisite in such cases, 
and the Christian labourer will need to seek for 
that wisdom that comes 'down from above, to 



190 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

direct him in his efforts. There is great danger 
that the awakened sufferer will be lulled into a 
false security, and even the kindness of the 
Christian heart may lead to the use of too much 
of consolation when reproof is more needed. At 
such times we should deal honestly with the 
subjects of our benevolent labours ; and in no 
case say " Peace, peace," without the most satis- 
factory evidence that God has spoken peace. In 
such cases persons too often mistake their alarm 
for true penitence, and fondly hope when there 
are no good grounds for so doing. Where this is 
the case, if they recover, their goodness is found 
to be " as the morning cloud and the early dew ;" 
it passes away. Little confidence can be placed 
in the repentance and professed conversions of 
the sick, till tested by a life of obedience and 
piety. Still, the possibility that a soul may be 
saved from death should stimulate every Chris- 
tian to labour, and that most assiduously, for the 
conversion of those who seem to be appointed 
to a speedy death. Many doubtless have been 
so saved, and it is always safe to point the sin- 
ner to Him who is the only refuge for the 
guilty. 

Physicians have frequent opportunities to 
whisper the sweet name of Jesus in the ear of 
the sufferer ; hence they are peculiarly called to 



ON VISITING. 191 

this duty, — to be a physician to the soul as well 
as to the body. The following extract from 
Baxter's " Saint's Everlasting Rest" is so appro- 
priate to this point, that we give it in preference 
to anything we can say : — 

"Physicians," says he, "that are much about 
dying men, should in a special manner make 
conscience of this duty. It is their peculiar ad- 
vantage that they are at hand ; that they are 
with men in sickness and dangers, when the ear 
is open, and the heart less stubborn than in 
time of health ; and that men look upon their 
physician as a person in whose hands is their 
life ; or, at least, who may do much to save 
them ; and therefore they will the more readily 
regard his advice. You that are of this honour- 
able profession, do not think this a work beside 
your calling, as if it belonged to none but minis- 
ters ; except you think it beside your calling to 
be compassionate, or to be Christians. help, 
therefore, to fit your patients for heaven ! and 
whether you see they are for life or death, teach 
both how to live and die, and give them some 
physic for their souls, as you do for their bodies." 

When God, by means of affliction, humbles 
the proud nature of man, then a Saviour's love, 
his kind offices, his precious promises, his rich 
blessings, free and full for all, will sound like 



192 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

music to the pious sufferer, and will also have a 
most powerful tendency to draw the sinner to 
yield his heart to God. Happy will it be for 
that Christian who is always ready to administer 
such a healing cordial, such 

" A sovereign balm for every wound.'* 

Another powerful motive to the performance 
of this duty is found in the fact, that in times of 
affliction the families of sick persons are espe- 
cially susceptible of the good influence of Chris- 
tian efforts. They then feel the need of sympa- 
thy, and readily take hold of the consolations 
afforded by the gospel of Christ. The house of 
mourning is thus often made the avenue to the 
glorious privileges of the children of God. If 
the Christian labourer is taught to sow his seed 
in all places and circumstances, he is also espe- 
cially instructed to co-operate with the provi- 
dence and grace of God, by which alone his 
labours can be made useful. Let those who 
would win souls to Christ, therefore, seek out 
the sick and afflicted, to minister to their wants, 
to relieve their sufferings, or to sympathize with 
them when relief cannot be obtained ; and espe- 
cially to mingle the sweet invitations of heavenly 
love with the sorrowing cries of human wretch- 
edness ; to tell the labouring and heavy-laden 



ON VISITING. 193 

souls of the rest that remains for the people of 
God. 

Personal interest should also incline the Chris- 
tian to this course of action. The rewards of 
heaven are made to depend in a marked man- 
ner upon attention to this duty. "It is bet- 
ter to go to the house of mourning than to the 
house of feasting, for by the sadness of the coun- 
tenance the heart is made better." Let us, 
then, so care for the sick and needy, that we 
may receive the blessings of " those who are 
ready to perish. " 

" Thee will I set at my right hand, 

Whose eyes mine inmost substance see ; 
And labour on at thy command, 
And offer all my works to thee. 

" Give me to bear thy easy yoke, 

And every moment watch and pray ; 
And still to things eternal look, 
And hasten to thy glorious day : — 

"For thee delightfully employ 

Whate'er thy bounteous grace has given ; 
And run my course with even joy, 
And closely walk with thee to heaven." 

13 



194 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

USE AND INFLUENCE OF GOOD BOOKS. 

A judicious use of good books constitutes a 
very important department of Christian effort. 
Says an intelligent writer in reference to social 
and family reading of such books : " Among a 
thousand means of making home attractive — 
a main point in ethics — this stands high. What 
is more pleasing? What more attractive? 
What more rational ? He would be a benefac- 
tor indeed, who should devise a plan to re- 
deem our evenings, and to rally the young men 
who scatter to clubs, and taverns, and brawling 
assemblies. Such a reformer and inventor would 
deserve a garland of heart's-ease from the hands 
of slighted woman. Families which are in a 
state of mutual repulsion, have no evenings to- 
gether over books or music. The master is at 
the frequented bar-room : the boys are at some 
public room, or place of amusement : the girls 
are abroad, in full dress : the mother sits at 
home in spectacles : and the several parties 
straggle in weary, and sometimes surly, at such 
hours as suit their whim, and then only as na- 
ture demands sleep. It is well even if this, at 
length, is not sought from home." 



USE AND INFLUENCE OF GOOD BOOKS. 195 

Another says, " The benefits of social reading 
are manifold. Pleasures shared with others are 
increased by the partnership. A book is ten- 
fold a book when read in the company of be- 
loved friends, and by the ruddy fire, on the au- 
tumnal evening ; and when our intellectual plea- 
sures are bathed in domestic affection." 

By this simple means many have been in- 
structed in the way of righteousness, restrained 
from vice, and led to seek an interest in the 
Saviour. We would therefore recommend the 
purchasing, loaning, giving, and commending 
good books. We live in a book-making and a 
book-reading age. But we regret to say, that a 
large portion of the books and newspapers now 
in circulation have a tendency to corrupt and 
lead the heart away from God and duty. On 
this account, and also to hedge up, so far as pos- 
sible, the way of wicked writers and publishers, 
the Christian should be careful what he reads, 
and what he is instrumental in causing others to 
read. That man who poisons the food on which 
the body subsists, is guiltless compared with 
him who poisons the food on which the immortal 
soul subsists. One is but a temporary evil, while 
the other is eternally ruinous. Let this consi- 
deration serve as a caution to our readers not to 
buy, loan, or otherwise extend the circulation of 



196 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

pernicious books and periodicals. The press has 
an immense power, for good or for evil. It 
should, therefore, be watched and guarded with 
a jealous eye. 

It is the duty of every moral and Christian 
man to support, so far as in him lies, the truly 
useful and religious press. The old maxim, " An 
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," 
should have due weight with every one who 
wishes to promote the welfare of society. This 
cannot be more effectually done than through 
the press. To instruct the ignorant, reform the 
vicious, and scatter light and life among the hu- 
man family, is a noble work. We would there- 
fore say to all our readers, Rally around the 
sanctified press. There are millions of minds 
which can be effectually reached in no other 
way, and few, if any, who may not be materi- 
ally influenced by this. 

We would suggest to committees, who pur- 
chase libraries for Sabbath -schools, or for any 
other object, to consider seriously the responsi- 
bility they are placed under to procure not only 
good moral books, but the very best books ; — 
such as will exert a holy and practical influence 
upon the heart and life of the reader. We would 
also suggest to ministers, parents, and teachers, 
to weigh well their duty in this matter. Is it 



USE AND INFLUENCE OF GOOD BOOKS. 197 

not the duty of the minister to warn and counsel 
his hearers on this subject? And is it not the 
duty of parents and teachers to superintend the 
readings of the young ? 

In reference to the use of good books, it is the 
opinion of the writer, that generally the giving of 
them, and even of tracts, is much less calculated 
to do good than the loaning of them, especially 
when done by a private distributor, who feels for, 
and aims at, the salvation of souls. It is some- 
times necessary to give ; then, let it be done ; 
but when it is not necessary, let tracts and books 
be loaned. 

We think the following plan a good one : — 
Let each individual Christian furnish himself, ac- 
cording to his means, with a choice selection of 
books, and from time to time add to these works as 
he may be able ; add also some good weekly or 
other periodicals. Being thus furnished, a regu- 
lar and systematic course may be pursued of 
doing and getting good, by supplying one's 
friends with profitable reading. 

Thus loaning books will very likely ensure 
their being read and preserved. It will also in- 
duce the receiver, in many cases, to set a higher 
estimate on a book or tract which another seems 
to value. Another motive for loaning in prefer- 
ence to giving is, that it affords the Christian of 



198 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

limited means a more extensive field for benevo- 
lent effort ; it also gives him better opportunities 
for faithful conversation and prayer with the ob- 
jects of his affectionate solicitude. There are 
but few ways in which every Christian can find 
so many opportunities to do good as in this. 
Let these, therefore, be faithfully and diligently 
improved . It would be well to induce, if possible, 
every person to whom a book is loaned or given, 
to pray for the Divine blessing on its perusal ; 
especially do so yourself. Few will refuse, at 
the request of a friend, to read an interesting 
work; though some may do so when they see 
or suspect it to be a long, dry, uninteresting one. 
The mind, especially of unconverted persons, 
should never be unnecessarily tasked with any- 
thing repulsive to their feelings. There are some 
readers who will hardly look at anything but a 
newspaper. Let such persons be taken on their 
own ground ; a little sacrifice and effort on the 
part of the Christian may place before their 
minds, in newspaper form, those truths of the 
gospel which will imperceptibly mould their prin- 
ciples, affect their hearts, and lead them into the 
glorious light and liberty of the sons of God. 
To do this, the Christian needs a deep-seated 
principle, — a fixed faith in the power of Omnipo- 
tent grace to reach the impenitent heart through 



USE AND INFLUENCE OF GOOD BOOKS. 199 

the most simple means. Many err exceedingly 
on this point, as did ISTaaman, captain of the 
Syrian hosts. He wished to be cured of his 
leprosy ; but the means which the prophet pre- 
scribed were so simple, that he was grievously 
disappointed. But the prophet chose a simple 
means to humble his proud heart, and to convince 
him that the excellency of the power was of God 
and not of man. This should teach us that the 
most simple effort can as well be crowned with 
Heaven's blessing, as a great one. 

We might narrate many facts and incidents to 
show that books have been instrumental in the 
salvation of souls. One case may be found in 
the Seamen's Department of this work. Another, 
which we will give in this chapter, stands in con- 
nexion with the personal efforts of a Mrs. Car- 
penter, sister of the late Stephen Drew, Esq., of 
Jamaica. A more particular and extended ac- 
count may be found in the memoirs of the de- 
voted Wm. Carvosso, from which this extract is 
made. This Mr. Drew was a Barrister at Law, 
and for many years he lived in Jamaica, an 
entire stranger to God, far apart from religious 
people, without the means of grace, and surround- 
ed by sensuality and sin. In 1814 his sister, 
Mrs. C, of Saltash, was savingly converted to 
God, joined the Methodist society, and soon be- 



200 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

came eminent for her faith and zeal in her Mas- 
ter's cause. The case of her unconverted bro- 
ther, dwelling in the darkness and dissipation of 
Jamaica, lay near her heart, and was not un- 
frequently the topic of her conversation. She 
longed for his salvation, and studied by what 
means she should attempt to effect it. Religious 
books she thought a likely instrument, and among 
these, Mr. Wesley's Sermons stood first in her 
esteem. Such was her conviction of the point 
and force contained in these volumes, that she 
expressed her belief, if she could only get them 
safely conveyed into her brother's hands, God 
would bless the perusal of them to his soul's sal- 
vation. At her request (says the biographer and 
son of Wm. Carvosso) I undertook to assist her 
in forwarding them. The books being committed 
to my care, with some considerable difficulty, I 
at length succeeded, by the assistance of my bro- 
ther, in getting them delivered into Mr. Drew's 
own hands. After I left the circuit, I received 
a letter from Mrs. C, enclosing the amount of 
the expenses, and conveying the highly gratify- 
ing intelligence that her brother was awakened 
by reading the sermons ; " I have heard from my 
brother," says she, " and have no doubt but the 
Lord has already made them a blessing to his 
soul. In his letter to me he says, * Now I have 



USE AND INFLUENCE OF GOOD BOOKS. 201 

read Wesley's Sermons, I seem to see with new- 
eyes. In these Sermons everything is as distinct- 
ly marked as if the writer possessed a powerful 
optic glass, to bring things, the most distant, 
home, as it were, to our very selves, so as to af- 
fect us as we were never before affected. I do 
believe he has the key to unlock the very mys- 
teries of Scripture doctrine.' In the same strain 
he has written a long letter, speaking also of his 
helplessness as a sinner, and his conviction of the 
necessity of an entire change in heart and life. 
May God in his mercy make me thankful for 
this blessing." Another letter, soon after, con- 
veyed to her an account of his conversion, 
and of his having received the witness of the 
Spirit. He quickly began to preach, and the 
Lord made his testimony an abundant blessing. 
Many were converted through his instrumen- 
tality, and a Church was formed in his own 
house. 

This devoted Christian lived some ten or twelve 
years after his conversion, and became very emi- 
nent for his personal holiness and usefulness. 
"When near his death he directed his pious 
negroes to be brought into his room, when he 
addressed them in the most solemn and affec- 
tionate manner. And then gave out and sung 
with astonishing energy, — 



202 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

* Our souls are in his mighty hand, 
And he shall keep them still ; 
And you and I shall surely stand 
With him on Zion's hill. 

4 what a joyful meeting there ! 

In robes of white array'd, 
Palms in our hands we all shall bear, 
And crowns upon our head.' 

" To Mrs. D., whom he was leaving behind, 
with nine children, he said, 'Lavina, have faith 
in God/ Lying at the feet of Jesus, confessing 
himself the chief of sinners, full of faith and the 
Holy Ghost, and exhorting and blessing those 
around him, he waited the final summons ; when 
his purified and happy spirit rose in triumph to 
the skies." 

In this thrilling sketch we see the mighty 
power of Divine grace on the faithful use of one 
of the most simple means for doing good. Thus 
we may always, with a right spirit, and in firm 
reliance on God, be setting in motion a train of 
blessed influences for the welfare of souls which 
no finite mind can number or comprehend. Is 
the reader doing anything for God and the souls 
of men in this way ? The day is at hand when 
the answer to this question will be known by an 
assembled world. Solemn thought ! Are we 
ready for the event ? 



USE AND INFLUENCE OF GOOD BOOKS. 203 

" That awful day will surely come, 
Th' appointed hour makes haste, — 
When I shall stand before my Judge, 
And pass the solemn test !" 

Before closing this chapter, we think a word 
of caution will not be amiss, in reference to loan- 
ing in every case such books as we know, and 
those to whom we loan them know, have a direct 
bearing on the individual's besetting sin. Such 
a course is not always judicious, as it may un- 
necessarily offend and injure the very persons 
we design to benefit. Such persons should be 
approached in a more indirect manner. Perhaps 
at first a book that is somewhat congenial with 
their taste and feelings would be the most suita- 
ble ; and from that to others, which come a little 
nearer the case ; so on, if we are tender and kind 
in our manner toward such persons, we may put 
into their hands something that will have a direct 
bearing upon their heart and life. 

The following fact from a book entitled 
"Christian Exertion," by Rev. Dr. Peck, will 
give the reader, in part, the idea we wish to pre- 
sent. It is as follows : — 

" Some years since, a devoted Christian became 
deeply concerned about the welfare of a lawyer 
with whom he was on terms of friendship. Con- 
strained by Christian principle, he felt bound to 



204 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

make an effort for his conversion ; he felt also 
the importance of exercising the utmost pru- 
dence, lest he should produce disgust and scorn 
where he desired to implant faith and love. With 
holy ingenuity, he enclosed to his friend a tract 
on ' Self-Righteousness,' requesting him to read 
it, and to inform the applicant whether, in his 
judgment, it was adapted, if circulated, to do 
good. He read to oblige his friend, — to form 
and give an opinion, probably, just as he would 
have studied a law case ; but he closed the tract 
with far different feelings, convinced of the dan- 
ger of his state as a sinner before God, and cheer- 
fully accepting an interest in the justifying righte- 
ousness of Christ." 

The Christian who would be useful in this 
way, should not be discouraged if he should not 
see immediate good resulting from his labours. 
Perhaps you will prevent the extension of evil, 
if your designed object should not be attained. 
To prevent sin in any degree, is to do good. 
This is an important and encouraging considera- 
tion. But we should not rest short of actually 
accomplishing all the visible and permanent good 
in our power. We must be in earnest, and do 
in firm reliance on God for his blessing whatever 
we undertake. We took up a book, not long 
since, which by its owner was designed for cir- 



USE AND INFLUENCE OF GOOD BOOKS. 205 

culation, in which we found written on the first 
blank leaf the following instructive lesson, viz : 
" Dear reader, let this book be read with a prayer- 
ful spirit. In all our readings we should be re- 
solved on getting good, that we may do good. 
To desire good is not enough ; there should be 
a design to attain it." Few would fail to read 
with profit after having such an introduction to 
the work before them. 

We would present for the imitation of such 
as have the means to do it, the following easy 
and effective way of doing good : — 

"A Welsh clergyman, near New- York, be- 
came deeply interested in the character of 
1 Baxter's Dying Thoughts,' and its adaptation 
to do good to men who must die. He con- 
ceived the purpose of putting that work into the 
hands of every family in a village containing a 
population of some thousands either by sale or 
gift. The cost being but a trifle, almost every 
family would pay for it. Thus, by a little sacri- 
fice of time, Baxter will be made to reiterate his 
solemn message in the ears of thousands in a 
single village." 

But, above all, the Bible should be valued as 
the Book of books ; it should be recommended 
as such, and pressed upon the attention of every 
individual as possessing paramount claims upon 



206 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

the heart and conscience. It is the book de- 
signed, through grace, to lead us into the path 
of life, — of holiness, — of usefulness, and, finally, 
to glory everlasting. 

Some years since, a young clergyman provi- 
dentially met in a book-store a pious acquaint- 
ance, who suggested to him the advantages of 
studying the word of God upon his knees ; he 
was told that he would be delightfully surprised 
with the new discoveries of Divine knowledge 
which he would thereby receive. He went to 
his place of labour ; and, with a prayerful pur- 
pose of heart, commenced in course the study 
of the sacred Scriptures, as his friend had sug- 
gested. The result was most beneficial to his 
own soul, and, no doubt, through his instru- 
mentality, to many others. In a letter, written 
to that friend some months afterward, he says, 
in reference to that study, " I have been blessed, 
greatly blessed, — many times blessed, in the 
soul-engaging pursuit. what memorable 
hours have I spent with my Bible and my God ! 
I have no doubt I am a better Christian and 
minister for it." This young minister has not 
been, and is not, alone in this spiritual study. 
There are many who can testify from happy 
experience that the blessed Bible, when thus 
studied, has a vital energy and power attending 



USE AND INFLUENCE OF GOOD BOOKS. 207 

it. The Psalmist had a peculiar love and re- 
gard for the Word of God. He calls it "a 
lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path." 

The Saviour himself declares, "My words 
which I speak unto you, they are spirit and 
they are life.'' Do we so read, so study the 
Word of God as to realize this ? 

Sir William Jones, a distinguished scholar of 
the eighteenth century, says, " I have carefully 
and regularly perused the Holy Scriptures, and 
am of opinion that the volume, independently 
of its divine origin, contains more sublimity, 
purer morality, more important history, and 
finer strains of eloquence, than can be collected 
from all other books, in whatever language they 
may have been written." 

John Locke, the celebrated philosopher, the 
last few years of his life confined his studies al- 
most entirely to the word of God. On being 
asked the best way for a young man to become 
acquainted with the Christian religion, he re- 
plied, "Let him study the Holy Scriptures, 
especially the New Testament. Therein are con- 
tained the words of eternal life. It hath God 
for its author, — Salvation for its end, — Truth, 
without any mixture of error, for its matter." 

Testimonies to the same effect might be mul- 
tiplied, but we deem it unnecessary to add 



208 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

more. Let the pious labourer be encouraged, 
then, to recommend the perusal of the Bible 
under all circumstances and on all occasions. 
The writer was much pleased some time since in 
hearing it proposed at a Sabbath-school concert, 
that every scholar should read one chapter every 
day from this blessed volume, and commit one 
verse to memory. If in our personal efforts with 
the impenitent we could prevail on them to do 
even this, it would have a most salutary effect 
upon their heart and life. Few would long neg- 
lect to pray, or remain unconverted, who would 
do this. 

" Father of mercies, in thy word 
What endless glory shines ; 
Forever be thy Name adored 
For these celestial lines. 

" Here may the wretched sons of want 
Exhaustless riches find ; 
Riches above what earth can grant, 
And lasting as the mind. 

" Here the fair tree of knowledge grows, 
And yields a free repast ; 
Sublimer sweets than nature knows 
Invite the longing taste. 

*' Here the Eedeemer's welcome voice 
Spreads heavenly peace around ; 
And life, and everlasting joys, 
Attend the blissful sound." 



TRACT DISTRIBUTION. 209 

CHAPTER XIV. 

TRACT DISTRIBUTION. 
The distribution of tracts is an eminently avail- 
able and useful method of doing good. Perhaps 
there is no other way in which every disciple 
of Jesus may labour with so much success. To 
give a tract merely is not the thing desired or 
intended ; the object should be to do good. In 
many benevolent undertakings there are some 
preliminary steps to be taken before we get at 
the main point. In regard to a proper distri- 
bution of tracts, it is necessary that those of a 
right character be selected, and the person, time, 
and place duly considered ; then again the man- 
ner of giving them has something to do with its 
influence upon the receiver. The following in- 
cident illustrates our notion in this matter : — 

" About eight or nine years ago," says a cler- 
gyman in Massachusetts, "I procured for dis- 
tribution among my people one hundred of 
Kush's 'Treatise upon the Effects of Ardent 
Spirits.' Among those to whom they were dis- 
tributed was a coloured woman, who was often 
observed to be under the influence of intoxicat- 
ing liquors. She was a person of uncommon 
shrewdness, and had a great inclination for read- 

14 



210 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

ing. Some time after she received this tract she 
called at my house, in my absence, and left with 
my wife a tract, which she requested I would 
read, and give my opinion as to its correctness. 
It was Adam Clarke's 'Serious Address to 
Christians upon the Use of Tobacco.' She 
stated that she was in the habit of using tobac- 
co ; but if she could be made to believe it was 
sinful, as Mr. Clarke represented it to be, she 
would certainly lay it aside. To satisfy her mind 
she wished for the opinion of her minister, in 
which she professed to repose entire confidence. 
When the tract was presented to me on my re- 
turn, with the accompanying message, it was not 
difficult to understand the meaning. I myself 
had been in the habit of using tobacco for many 
years, both by chewing and smoking. I had 
already experienced many struggles in my own 
mind in relation to the practice, as productive of 
evils, and not very becoming for a Christian 
minister ; but, like most others indulging similar 
habits, had not been able to come to an effectual 
resolution to desist. I read Dr. Clarke's Address 
with great attention and pleasure, and in full 
view of the manner in which it had come into 
my hands. In addition to the convictions which 
it wrought in my own mind I was led to reflect, 
that it was presented to me by one who acknow- 



TRACT DISTRIBUTION. 211 

ledged my kindness in furnishing her with argu- 
ments for reformation as to the use of ardent 
spirits; that we should undoubtedly meet at 
some future day, when the subject of the tracts 
which we had exchanged would be conversed 
upon; and if I had not given up a practice 
which I could not but acknowledge to be a bad 
one, after attending to the arguments of Dr. 
Clarke, the inquiry would come with ill grace 
from me, whether she had been benefited by 
the tract on ardent spirits. I accordingly took 
my tobacco from my pocket, and threw it out 
of my window, and have never used any since. 
I am happy to add, that Dr. Rush's tract was 
equally effectual upon my coloured friend. She 
declares, and I believe with truth, that she has 
drunk no ardent spirit since reading Dr. Rush. 

" I feel myself under great obligations for the 
very appropriate return of a tract which I so 
much needed. In consequence of the use of 
tobacco I had been for years in a low, debilitated 
state of health." 

Perhaps the devoted Harlan Page proved the 
efficacy of a right distribution of tracts as much 
as any one of whom we have heard. He was 
celebrated for his personal efforts for the welfare 
of souls, and in this work he found tracts a ready 
and useful auxiliary. A few facts from his me- 



212 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

moirs will therefore be given for the instruction 
and encouragement of such as may choose to 
imitate his praiseworthy example. 

On one occasion, when passing a school-house 

in L , he called, presented some tracts to the 

teacher for her scholars, and addressed a few 
words to her on the subject of her own salva- 
tion ; and to this brief interview she now ascribes 
her conversion to God. 

When Mr. Page resided in New- York, he 
took for awhile the superintendence of the tract 
distribution in the Fourteenth Ward. He soon 
discovered that "little more was done than to 
present a tract monthly to each family ; there 
was no such direct, faithful, personal, and perse- 
vering effort, and wrestling prayer for particular 
individuals, as duty to God and the souls of 
men demanded. At the meeting of his fellow- 
labourers in January, (1832,) he laid the sub- 
ject solemnly and earnestly before them, depict- 
ing the spiritual wants of the ward ; the condi- 
tion of hundreds of families who absented them- 
selves from the stated means of grace ; and who, 
unless reached by their efforts, would probably 
never have the offers of salvation pressed upon 
their attention. He urged their obligations to 
God, and the souls of the perishing ; and then 
inquired of each distributor, whether there were 



TRACT DISTRIBUTION. 213 

not in his district one or more individuals, for 
whom he felt that there was special encourage- 
ment to labour, and to whose salvation he would 
direct his own devoted efforts and prayers till 
he should have evidence of conversion, or that 
the door of useful access was closed. It was 
made a subject of prayer and heart-searching 
with each distributor, till one fixed his mind on 
one individual, another on two, and another on 
three or more ; and by the thirty -six distributors 
eighty-eight individuals were thus selected as 
special objects of their prayers, and affectionate 
endeavours for their salvation. 

" This gave them, as will be readily conceived, 
a new impulse in their work. They saw a dis- 
tinct object before them ; important as eternity, 
and yet one in which they could do nothing with- 
out the marvellous displays of Divine grace. 
They went to the throne of mercy ; they went 
to the objects of their affectionate solicitude; 
and their mouths were filled with arguments. 
Access was easy. The Spirit of God seemed to 
have gone before them, and to go with them. 

" Of the eighty-eight individuals for whose sal- 
vation these distributors resolved steadfastly to 
pray and labour, more than thirty were reported 
in February, as at least in some degree anxious 
for their souls ; and three of the number as re- 



214 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

joicing in God ; in March, four ; in April, six ; 
in May, three ; in June, six ; and twelve in the 
subsequent months; making in all thirty-four 
hopeful conversions from that ward within the 
year 1832. Of this number three or four were 
awakened by reading the tracts, and others ap- 
parently by means of the prayers and exhorta- 
tions of the distributors. Many of the poor and 
afflicted people of God, forsaken by the world, 
had been found and comforted ; some backsliders 
reclaimed ; and the gospel message delivered to 
numbers who continued to reject it. Many in- 
teresting instances of the blessing of God on 
these efforts are alluded to in Mr. Page's memo- 
randum ; and it is stated that almost all of them 
are the cases of individuals who were scarcely 
reached by any other means of grace" 

Of this devoted Christian, his biographer says : 
" When engaged in his usual business, the reli- 
gious welfare of persons with whose state he 
had become acquainted was generally pressing 
upon his mind, and it is now known, that, for 
several years before he died, he almost always 
had by him a memorandum of the names and re- 
sidences of a few individuals with whom he was 
to converse. On these he would call as he went 
to and from his office, or religious meetings ; and 
if no names were on this list, he felt that he was 



TRACT DISTRIBUTION. 215 

doing little good. He also uniformly had in his 
hat more or less awakening tracts, that he might 
present as he should judge them adapted to the 
state of those he met?* 

The following statement is from a young cler- 
gyman respecting Mr. Page's personal faithful- 
ness, and how he made use of the tract to aid 
him in his labours of love : — " The name of Bro- 
ther Page," says the writer, " will ever be asso- 
ciated in my mind with all that is worthy of imi- 
tation in the Christian character. By the per- 
suasions of an acquaintance I was induced to en- 
gage as a teacher in his Sabbath-school; and 
though I was then destitute of faith, he welcomed 
me, and won my confidence and love ; very soon 
he began to address me with the utmost appa- 
rent tenderness and anxiety in reference to my 
own salvation. His words sank deep into my 
heart. They were strange words ; for though 
I had lived among professors of religion, he was 
the first who for nine or ten years had taken me 
by the hand, and kindly asked, ' Are you a Chris- 
tian?' 'Do you intend to be a Christian?' 
'Why not now?' Each succeeding Sabbath 
brought him to me with anxious inquiries after 
my soul's health. On the third or fourth Sab- 
bath, he gave me the tract, ' Way to be Saved/ 
which deepened my impressions. At his request 



216 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

I also attended a teachers' prayer- meeting con- 
ducted by him, where my soul was bowed down 
and groaned under the load of my guilt. At 
the close of the meeting, Mr. Page took my arm, 
as we proceeded on our way to our respective 
homes, and urged upon me the duty and privi- 
lege of an immediate surrender of my heart to 
Christ. As we were about to part, he held my 
hand, and at the corner of the street, in a wintry 
night, stood pleading with me to repent of sin, 
and submit to God.* I returned to my home, 
and, for the first time in many years, bowed my 
knees in my chamber before God, and entered 
into solemn covenant to serve him henceforth, in 
and through the gospel of his Son. God was 
pleased, I trust, by his Holy Spirit, to seal my 
vows. If I have since had any Christian joy, or 
done anything to advance the cause of Christ, 
it is to be attributed to the Divine blessing on 
the faithfulness of brother Page." 

We might present many facts like the one just 
narrated, in which the tract has been made a 
ready and powerful auxiliary in sustaining and 
deepening upon the hearts of men salutary and 
divine influences. 

No Christian who would honour his profession, 

• At such a point, the Christian labourer should be very 
faithful in his importunities in behalf of awakened souls. 



TRACT DISTRIBUTION. 21 7 

should be without a choice selection. They are 
always needed, and may always, if judiciously 
used, produce good effects. Travellers may es- 
pecially, through the influence of these silent 
messengers, leave behind them a good impres- 
sion, — one that will in eternity astonish and de- 
light the pious soul who thus laboured and who 
sincerely prayed, 

"My gracious Master, and my God, 
Assist me to proclaim, 
To spread, through all the earth abroad, 
The honours of thy Name." 

We might extend this chapter, by presenting 
many thrilling sketches, showing the importance 
and utility of a faithful distribution of tracts ; but 
we shall give only one more. — 

Rev. Mr. Kean makes the following statement : 
— " Some years since, a young man from North 
Carolina, belonging to a company of play-actors, 
had his attention arrested one evening by a copy 
of the ' Dairyman's Daughter/ lying in his room 
at his boarding-house. He read it with deep 
interest and emotion, as have thousands of others, 
and while he read the touching delineations of 
Christian character contained in this inimitable 
narrative, his repentings were kindled together, — 
his hard heart was dissolved into contrition, ten- 
derness, and love. 



218 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

"He renounced the fascinations of the stage for 
the high pleasures and responsibilities of the gos- 
pel ministry. He was a chosen vessel of mercy, 
and God honoured him in winning many souls 
to Christ, as he had before decoyed many to per- 
dition. He has been greatly blessed of God in 
revivals, and has enjoyed pleasing evidence that 
he has been instrumental in the conversion of a 
thousand individuals, among whom twenty are 
now ministers of the gospel. 

" This is but the beginning of good done by a 
single tract. How greatly will this good be aug- 
mented, through time and through eternity, while 
these twenty ministers shall go forth and labour 
in their Master's vineyard, extending and widen- 
ing the circle of blessed influences to the latest 
generation of men ! What Christian shall have 
the honour of distributing that tract ? Who that 
loves the Saviour and the souls of men will not 
aspire to the honour and privilege of aiding to 
scatter these leaves of the tree of life, carrying 
them to every dark habitation in our land, and 
to every benighted corner of the globe ?" 

Those who would do good in this way, should 
follow the distribution of every tract with the fer- 
vent prayer of faith for the Divine blessing to 
attend it. Does the reader do this ? 



THE CHRISTIAN CORRESPONDENT. 219 

CHAPTER XV. 

THE CHRISTIAN CORRESPONDENT. 

There are few among us who cannot write suf- 
ficiently well to communicate their thoughts to 
their relatives and friends ; and fewer still, who 
cannot read writing. In this way, therefore, the 
Christian correspondent may do much to awaken, 
encourage, and lead souls to Christ. If as much 
time were devoted to this work by Christians as 
the wicked spend in disseminating their perni- 
cious and destructive sentiments, our world 
would not be so cursed with unholy and ruinous 
publications as it now is. Christians should se- 
riously consider this matter, especially those 
whose gifts and callings lead them to frequently 
use their pens. Let such make it a rule to in- 
sert in all their letters, whenever not manifestly 
improper, some sentence on the theme of salva- 
tion, some word calculated to awaken new inter- 
est in the things of religion. 

In Pike's " Guide to Young Disciples," we 
find the following statement : — 

" A considerable Baptist church exists in Lei- 
cestershire, which owed its origin in a great de- 
gree to a pious remark introduced into a letter 
on business. This impressed the mind of the 



220 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

thoughtless youth to whom it was addressed. 
He embraced religion, and opened his house for 
preaching. Many who had never heard the gos- 
pel attended. A considerable house of prayer 
was erected in this dark village. Many who 
have worshipped in that house, there is reason to 
believe, now worship in the better house above ; 
and others are pursuing the path that leads to 
eternal peace.' ' 

The following is another instance in point : — 

A pious visitor in the city of B attended 

a prayer-meeting one evening, where she noticed 
a strange young man who came in, and with an 
air of apparent thoughtlessness took a seat in 
front of the congregation ; having thus conspi- 
cuously placed himself, he looked with coolness 
and seeming indifference on the exercises of the 
occasion. The sight of her eyes affected her 
heart, and she silently invoked the Holy Spirit's 
influence upon his soul ; as she prayed, a spirit 
of tenderness came over her mind which caused 
her to weep. For some days this spirit followed 
her, and she asked the Lord if there was any- 
thing for her to do in behalf of his salvation, that 
it might be made clear and plain to her mind. 

Not long after, through a somewhat mysteri- 
ous providence, she had her attention called to 
his case by a female friend of hers ; his name 



THE CHRISTIAN CORRESPONDENT. 221 

was then unknown to both of them ; but a chain 
of circumstances transpired in which it was as- 
certained. It then occurred to the mind of the 
first-mentioned lady to write to him. With much 
trembling, and under a strong sense of duty, she 
did so upon her knees, with many prayers for 
the divine blessing to attend it. He received it 
kindly; and for some weeks a correspondence 
was thus maintained between them, in which she 
sought to bring him to a decision to forsake sin, 
and come to Jesus for pardon and salvation. 
He became deeply awakened, but, like one of 
old, he practically said to her, and to the Holy 
Spirit, " Go thy way for this time." 

Soon after this he left the city, and she heard 
no more about him for about a year and a half, 
when she received a letter through the post- 
office, announcing the joyful intelligence of his 
conversion, many hundred miles distant. In this 
letter he stated that he had travelled from place 
to place, far from home and from God ; but in 
all his travels could not forget her, or her let- 
ters, which pointed out to him so plainly and 
affectionately the way of salvation. Alone, a 
stranger in a strange place, he decidedly resolv- 
ed, while reperusing these letters, to submit his 
heart to Christ ; and there, to use his own 
words, he " found the invaluable pearl which all 



222 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

the treasures of this world cannot purchase." 
She never heard from him but once after this 
event, and then he was still maintaining his 
Christian integrity. 

In the case just narrated, there was no op- 
portunity for any other effort than that of pri- 
vate prayer and the use of the pen. 

Another fact pertinent to this part of our sub- 
ject has come to the knowledge of the writer. 
A certain gentleman, who had often been under 
the awakening influences of the Holy Spirit, was 
brought to a decision to seek an interest in the 
Saviour through the instrumentality of a reli- 
gious letter which he received from a pious 
friend. That letter was followed, as every one 
ought to be, with the fervent prayers of its au- 
thor for the divine blessing to accompany it. 

Christians who have been the most faithful 
and successful in their personal efforts for the 
good of souls, frequently resorted to the use of 
their pens. Those devoted servants of God, 
Harlan Page, J. B. Taylor, and William Car- 
vosso, are worthy examples of this kind of la- 
bour. 

A young lady, for whose salvation Mr. Page 
was deeply interested, and to whom he wrote 
from the fulness of his heart, urging her to "take 
no rest, day nor night, till she had obtained 



THE CHRISTIAN CORRESPONDENT. 223 

peace with God," makes the following acknow- 
ledgment of his faithfulness to her : " Your first 
epistle," she says to him, " found me in the gall 
of bitterness ; and but for your friendly advice, 
I fear, I should now have been pursuing the 
vanities of the world. The Saviour was pleased 
to make you the happy instrument of showing 
me my sins, and bringing me to partake of his 
love." 

Another writes to Mr. Page, and tells him, 
" Your letters were the means of awakening me 
to the concerns of my soul. E. L., after solemnly 
conversing with me one evening, read several of 
your letters. I never shall forget the impression 
they made upon my mind, and also upon the 
minds of my two brothers ; for God was pleased 
to awaken us all at this time. 

" 0, Dear Sir, may God reward you for your 
love to immortal souls ! Do write to all the dear 
youth of Coventry."* 

Mr. Page wrote a very faithful, heart-search- 
ing letter to a relative, and received in reply 
some months after the following : — " When your 
letter was received, it was a dagger to my soul ; 
but now, dear cousin, I think I know something 
of the excellency of religion, and the peace there 
is in casting all my burdens on Him who cares 

• Coventry was Mr. Page's native place. 



224 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

for us. Within a few weeks I have taken real 
satisfaction in reading that kind letter. I thank 
you for it. Do now write me again.' ' 

The biographer of the devoted J. B. Taylor 
says : " How the ever-active benevolence and zeal 
of Mr. Taylor were continually manifesting them- 
selves, may be seen in everything he wrote." 

The holy and useful Carvosso, to whom allu- 
sion is made above, did not learn to write till 
after he was sixty-five years of age ; and then 
in order to carry out more fully the principle of 
personal effort. Probably the first letter he 
wrote was to Counsellor Drew, of Jamaica. The 
following extract of one from Mr. Drew, doubt- 
less, refers to it : " My very Dear Sir and Father 
in Israel, — The letter which you were so kind 
to write me, was a source of comfort and edifi- 
cation beyond anything that I have ever receiv- 
ed. I read it at our quarterly meeting, and it 
confirmed the faith of many." 

Mr. Carvosso's biographer says, from that 
hour which first called forth the use of his pen, 
" an avenue of new pleasure and usefulness was 
open to his active and benevolent mind ; and 
now thousands of closely written pages in his 
hand- writing, attest how piously and diligently 
he improved it. He indeed presents the re- 
markable phenomenon of a person who, with 



THE CHRISTIAN CORRESPONDENT. 225 

great diligence, toiled in business above half a 
century, acquired a sufficiency to retire with 
credit and comfort to himself, and who, with 
his pen, filled up volumes, and wrote hundreds 
of letters ; and yet I believe not a page or a 
letter was ever written by him on any other 
topic than experimental and practical godliness !" 
What a noble example is this for the Christian 
correspondent ! Surely few can excuse them- 
selves, on account of their ignorance or their 
age, from such a useful work. And what a 
striking fact that his theme was always " experi- 
mental and practical godliness !" 'No wonder 
thousands were blessed when perusing such life- 
-giving epistles ; and doubtless many thousands 
more, while their author rests in heaven, will 
read those winged messages of love, and catch 
their hallowed spirit as they are flying from one 
continent to another. May the Lord attend 
and speed them on their course ! 

In this, as in other modes of Christian effort, 
souls have been blessed and saved, as seen in 
the facts just narrated. It is hoped they will 
interest and encourage the pious reader to con- 
sider whether all has been done with the pen, 
by him or her, for the benefit of undying souls, 
which opportunity has afforded, or circumstan- 
ces required, 

15 



226 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

Another eminent example of the value of 
epistolary writing, is seen in the case of the 
apostle Paul. His whole life, after his conver- 
sion, peculiarly illustrates, in all its varied forms, 
the value of personal Christian effort for the 
welfare of souls. In this place we would notice 
more particularly his constant and faithful use 
of the pen. His inimitable, spirit-stirring epis- 
tles will ever continue to be " profitable for 
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruc- 
tion in righteousness." 

JSTow, while the apostle " rests from his 
labours, his works do follow him. ,, Thus it 
may be with thee, dear reader; let not thy 
powers for doing good be neglected ; bring 
thy pen in its sanctified strength and beauty, 
to bear upon the interest of the Kedeemer's 
kingdom on the earth ; and may the Lord help 
thee to write in characters of living light ! Then 
shall you honour God in your day and genera- 
tion, and at last hear him say to you, " "Well 
done, good and faithful servant ; thou hast been 
faithful over a few things, I will make thee 
ruler over many things. Enter thou into the 
joy of thy Lord." 



TRAVELLER'S DEPARTMENT. 227 



CHAPTER XVI. 

traveller's department. 

We live in an age when almost everybody is on 
the move, especially during the milder seasons 
of the year. The increasing facilities for travel- 
ling seem to draw out for business, health, or 
pleasure, a great portion of the community ; 
hence, many opportunities are afforded the 
Christian traveller to do good, — to scatter fruits 
from the " tree of life." A few thoughts, by way 
of encouragement to this duty, are therefore 
presented. 

The writer, while travelling some years since, 
and previous to her conversion, in the country 
with a brother, had occasion to inquire the way 
of an old lady. Before answering our question, 
with a peculiarly tender and solicitous look, she 
asked, "Are you bound for Canaan ?" Her 
question was not at first understood ; but it was 
supposed there was a town somewhere in that 
vicinity known by that name. The question, 
however, and her manner of asking it, will 
never be forgotten ; it proved that " the words 
of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened 
by the masters of assemblies, which are given 



228 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

by one shepherd." Only a few weeks later, 
an affirmative answer could have been rendered 
to that pious inquiry, and a further evidence 
given of the value of a word in season. 

Does the reader ever speak thus for the good 
of souls and the glory of God ? 

A lady, while passing from Boston to 
Charlestown in one of the hourly coaches, felt 
it her duty to converse with one of the ladies 
who sat near her on the subject of religion. It 
was a great cross to her to begin the conversa- 
tion ; but, having done so, she was greatly en- 
couraged and benefited by the hallowing 
response she met from two or three of the com- 
pany, one of whom, a Congregational lady, 
recommended the perusal of some most excellent 
publications, and also bore her decided testi- 
mony against the pernicious tendency of novel- 
reading. Two gay and apparently thoughtless 
young ladies seemed to listen with much sur- 
prise at what was said. Thus may words of 
instruction be imparted on almost all occasions 
by those who are willing to own Christ wher- 
ever they go. 

A pious traveller had to room on one occa- 
sion with a visitor where she put up. Neither 
of these ladies knew the religious state or pro- 
fessions of the other. The visitor first retired 



TRAVELLER'S DEPARTMENT. 229 

to bed without any apparent prayer, or reading 
of the word of God ; but the traveller, having 
read a portion of Scripture, knelt, and engaged 
in silent prayer, and then arose and went to 
bed. The visitor, who was a professed Chris- 
tian, feeling self- condemned and ashamed, con- 
fessed her neglect of duty on account of the 
cross. Let this be a lesson to professed Chris- 
tians, not to be ashamed of or neglect their re- 
ligious duty, wherever they may be. 

A pious gentleman, with whom the writer is 
acquainted, was travelling a few years since in 
the cars : while on his journey, he entered into 
conversation with a young man respecting his 
personal salvation ; found him to be deeply se- 
rious, and almost in despair. He had left his 
place of business, and was going, he knew not 
whither, in order to rid himself of his painful 
convictions. The pious traveller, having become 
acquainted with the case, at once opened up to 
his mind the way of simple faith in Christ as a 
present Saviour. The instruction thus given 
God blessed to the conversion of his soul; a 
visible and immediate change came over him, 
and he was enabled to express in strong terms 
the joy of his heart. " Had I known and felt 
what I now do," said he, " I should not have 
left my business as I have." He resolved to 



230 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

return, like one of the ten lepers when he found 
he was healed, and, "■ with a loud voice, glorify 
God." The pious traveller, strengthened and 
encouraged, still journeyed on in his labours of 
love, and has been happily instrumental in lead- 
ing many others to the same rich fountain of 
mercy. 

Another case in point is that of Philip preach- 
ing Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch. Both of 
these persons were travelling. Philip, it seems, 
had for a while previous been preaching in the 
city of Samaria, where the angel of the Lord 
spake to him, saying, " Arise, and go toward the 
south, unto the way that goeth down from Jeru- 
salem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose 
and went; and behold a man of Ethiopia, an 
eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen 
of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her 
treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to wor- 
ship, was returning, — and, sitting in his chariot, 
read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said 
unto Philip, Go near and join thyself to this cha- 
riot; and Philip ran thither to him, and heard 
him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Under- 
standest thou what thou readest ? And he said, 
How can I, except some man should guide me ? 
And he desired Philip that he would come up, 
and sit with him. The place of the Scripture 



231 

which he read was this : He was led as a sheep 
to the slaughter : and like a lamb dumb before 
his shearer, so opened he not his mouth : in his 
humiliation his judgment was taken away ; and 
who shall declare his generation ? for his life is 
taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered 
Philip and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh 
the prophet this ? of himself, or of some other 
man ? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began 
at the same Scripture, and preached unto him 
Jesus. As they went on their way, they came 
unto a certain water ; and the eunuch said, See, 
here is water ; what doth hinder me to be bap- 
tized ? And Philip said, If thou belie vest with 
all thy heart thou mayest. And he answered 
and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son 
of God. And he commanded the chariot to 
stand still ; and thev went both down into the 
water, both Philip and the eunuch ; and he bap- 
tized him. And when they were come up out 
of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away 
Philip that the eunuch saw him no more ; and 
he went on his way rejoicing." 

There are many useful hints and practical in- 
structions to be drawn from this beautiful narra- 
tive, some of which we will briefly notice. As 
Philip was taught by the Spirit to make efforts 
for the conversion of that Ethiopian, so may every 



232 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

Christian who lives near to God be taught his or 
her duty in such matters. As Philip was obe- 
dient to this divine Teacher, so should every one 
be who hopes for the favour of God in the final 
judgment. Again : as Philip preached Jesus to 
the eunuch, so should Jesus be the theme of our 
conversation, — whether it is in travelling, or at 
home ; whether it is to those in authority, as was 
the eunuch, or whether it is to the lowest 
servants. 

After Philip had discharged his duty to this 
man, the Spirit of the Lord caught him away to 
labour for others, in other places. Thus it is, 
doubtless, with every truly Christian labourer; 
when he has discharged his duty to those who 
are about him, the Spirit will direct his path to 
other fields of usefulness. 

As the eunuch "went on his way rejoicing," 
he doubtless bore a faithful testimony to the 
power of redeeming grace; and perhaps be- 
came the first Christian missionary to his benight- 
ed nation. It is reasonable for us to suppose a 
man in whom was placed such great confidence 
as that given to him, in the charge of all the 
queen's treasure, would be very likely to exert a 
most powerful influence in favour of the Christian 
religion. Thus may the devoted disciple of Je- 
sus, by a word fitly spoken, while passing from 



traveller's department. 233 

place to place, become not only directly, but also 
indirectly, a savour of life and salvation to many 
souls. 

Another fine example of this kind is afforded in 
the story of our Lord's conversation with the 
woman of Samaria. Behold the blessed Jesus, 
" being wearied with his journey/ ' as he sat on 
the well ; how he improved the opportunity to 
instruct the woman, who came thither to draw 
water, telling her that " whosoever drinketh of 
the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst ; 
but the water that I shall give him shall be in 
him a well of water springing up into everlasting 
life." His weariness and journeying were no 
hindrance to his labouring with and for one poor 
woman. What an example of condescension, 
of personal effort, is this ! Will ministers look at 
it — imitate it ? Yea, every Christian should do 
so. We are fellow-travellers to the spirit- world, 
and, whether we realize it or not, every day 
brings us one day nearer the crisis when oppor- 
tunities for usefulness will cease, — 

" Whate'er we do, where'er we be, 
V/e're travelling to the grave." 

"As ye go, preach." 



234 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



POWER OF PRAYER WHEN OTHER MEANS HAVE 

APPARENTLY FAILED. 
Many striking incidents illustrating the efficacy 
of prayer, where other means have been unsuc- 
cessful, might be given. We select a few, 
hoping they will stimulate the pious heart to 
grasp with new energy this mighty weapon, 
and to wield it in the strength of Omnipotence 
for the salvation of souls. 

The following is from the American Baptist 
Magazine : — 

" A pious aged woman had one son ; she used 
every means in her power to train him up in the 
nurture and admonition of the Lord : he was the 
child of many prayers. The youth grew up, 
but was of a gay, dissipated turn ; she still fol- 
lowed him with her entreaties, faithfully warned 
him of his awful situation as a sinner before 
God, and told him what his end would be, dying 
in that state. 

" One day he went to his mother, and said, 
' Mother, let me have my best clothes ; I am 
going to a ball to-night/ She expostulated with 
him, and urged him not to go by every argu- 
ment in her power ; he answered, ' Mother, let 



POWER OF PRAYER. 235 

me have my clothes ; I will go, and it is useless 
to say anything about it.' She brought his 
clothes, he put them on, and was going out ; she 
stopped him, and said, ' My child, do not go.' 
He said he would ; she then said to him, ' My 
son, while you are dancing with your gay com- 
panions in the ball-room, I shall be out in that 
wilderness, praying to the Lord to convert your 
soul/ He went, the ball commenced ; but 
instead of the usual gayety, an unaccountable 
gloom pervaded the whole assembly. One said, 
'We never had such a dull meeting in our lives :' 
another, ? I wish we had not come ; we have no 
life ; we cannot get along f a third, ' I cannot 
think what is the matter.' The young man in- 
stantly burst into tears, and said, ' I know what 
is the matter ; my poor old mother is now pray- 
ing in yonder wilderness for her ungodly son.' 
He then took his hat, and said, ' I will never be 
found in such a place as this again/ and left the 
company. 

" To be short, the Lord converted his soul. 
Mr. Irish, his pastor, baptized him. He was soon 
after taken ill, and died very happy. c Praying 
breath is never spent in vain/ " 

A pious lady visited a Christian family of her 
acquaintance. She there met a young woman, 
who she learned was not pious, although from 



236 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

a child she had lived under the influence of 
Christian example, and had received " line upon 
line, and precept upon precept." The visitor 
felt peculiarly interested for her salvation, and 
therefore said to her brother, Mr. P., " Cannot 
we, in view of the promise, ' that if two of you 
shall agree on earth as touching anything that 
they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my 
Father which is in heaven,' ask that your sister 
may be brought this day to seek the salvation 
of her soul ?" After a few moments' considera- 
tion, he emphatically replied, "Yes." Mrs. P. 
was also interested in the same thing ; but the 
young lady, at the time, knew nothing about the 
engagement in her behalf. It was made on a Sab- 
bath morning ; all the individuals, excepting Mrs. 
P., attended the public worship of God during 
the day. There was no excitement or outward oc- 
currence to move the mind of the young woman ; 
she seemed to have no special convictions ; her 
judgment was, and had been for years, convin- 
ced it was her duty to become a Christian. Her 
decision that day seemed consequently to depend 
on the prayer of faith offered by her friends. 

In the evening of that day she decided, or at 
least manifested her decision, in a public meet- 
ing for prayer, to seek an interest in the Saviour. 
She was the only person who did so, although 



POWER OF PRAYER. 237 

a pressing invitation was given to others to fol- 
low her example. She soon after professed hope 
in Christ. 

Another case is of a young man, religiously 
educated, and who had often experienced pow- 
erful awakenings, but nevertheless delayed to 
comply with the conditions of salvation. At the 
suggestion of an anxious sister, some pious 
friends joined with her in observing a day of 
fasting and prayer, in which they unitedly sought 
for his speedy conversion to God ; but he was 
not aware that anything of the kind was even 
thought of. To the glory of divine grace be it 
said, on the following day he gave good evi- 
dence of yielding the controversy with God. At 
this time his sister told him how the preceding 
day had been spent in his behalf. With an al- 
most bursting heart, and eyes suffused with 
tears, he exclaimed, u Do you think those pray- 
ers will be answered ?" He was told, that if he 
did not resist the Spirit's influence upon his 
heart, they would be. That hour, having com- 
plied with the terms of salvation, he found peace 
and joy to his troubled soul, 

The following beautiful comment on the same 
passage is taken from Rev. James Porter's book 
on "Revivals of Religion. " He says: — "The 
want of agreement is a great obstacle. Saith 



238 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

Jesus, 'If two of you shall agree on earth 
touching anything that they shall ask, it shall 
be done for them of my Father which is in hea- 
ven.' This point being discussed one day at a 

protracted meeting, in the town of D , a 

lady from Boston said to the preacher, ' I sup- 
pose you believe what you have preached :' to 
which he assented. She then proposed that he 
and another minister present unite in prayer two 
successive days, that God would convert her 
brother, an influential man, and a violent enemy 
to the Church, and bring him out to meeting 
and to Christ, promising that she would fast 
and pray for the same object. The proposition 
came fully up to the terms of the text, and it 
was agreed to. The next afternoon the man 
was at meeting, and sat in the gallery. When 
the invitation was given for inquirers, he went 
down through the entry, walked up to the altar, 
and knelt. That evening he renounced his for- 
mer creed, and was soon happy in the Lord. 
He has been a pillar in the Church ever since, 
and a living demonstration of the power of united 
prayer." 

Many such thrilling incidents are before us ; 
but we shall add only the following. It was com- 
municated to us by a devoted clergyman, with 
whom we are personally acquainted : — 



POWER OF PRAYER. 239 

" I was labouring," said he, u in the town of 

B , State of Vermont, in the autumn of 

1842 ; a young lady of my society, who had 
been making personal efforts for the conversion 
of her parents, brothers, and sisters, arose with 
deep and anxious feelings in class-meeting one 
evening, and requested an interest in the prayers 
of the society, for God's awakening Spirit upon 
the hearts of her family, that they might be led 
to Christ, and, with her, make their way to hea- 
ven. We all," says the pastor, "knelt and en- 
gaged in prayer for this object. In about three 
weeks from this time, one of her brothers came 
to the altar of prayer ; her father and mother 
soon followed ; then a sister, and another bro- 
ther ; in all five persons of that family, in little 
more than three weeks, were happily converted 
to God. 

" I inquired of the young man who first 
openly manifested his determinations to seek 
religion, how long it was since he had felt its 
need? He stated, that on such an evening, 
naming the time, he felt a singularly strange 
sensation of mind, very different from anything 
he had ever before experienced, which induced 
him to decide on seeking the salvation of his 
soul. The time to which he referred proved to 
be the very evening in which we, without his 



240 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

knowledge, engaged in prayer for his awak- 
ening." 

Such facts as these should encourage every 
child of God to be diligent, fervent, and believ- 
ing in their prayers. Hannah, Elijah, Daniel, 
the Church praying for the liberation of Peter, 
Cornelius, and a host of others that might be 
mentioned, are worthy examples in this matter. 
They prayed till they prevailed ; so should we : 
" The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and 
the violent take it by force," — it is the violence 
of holy importunity, of unyielding purpose of 
soul, which takes no denial, and which, like 
wrestling Jacob, cries out, " I will not let thee 
go, except thou bless me." When Jacob 
prayed thus he prevailed. 

But God must be " inquired of by the house 
of Israel to do these things for them" which he 
has promised, and which we so much need. 
He says, " Ask, and ye shall receive ;" and, 
" Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, 
ye shall receive." These, and many other cor- 
responding passages, open a wide field for the 
exercise of this mighty agency. O that professed 
Christians fully appreciated this holy, this hea- 
venly privilege ! 



PLAN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER. 241 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

PLAN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER. 

To "pray without ceasing," and "praying 
always with all prayer and supplication in the 
Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perse- 
verance," are among the most salutary and im- 
portant injunctions given to the disciples of 
Christ : — 

** Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, 
The Christian's native air ; 
His watchword at the gates of death, — 
He enters heaven with prayer." 

" A frequent, solemn, and serious use of the 
duty of prayer," says Sir Matthew Hale, in his 
" Treatise on the Knowledge of God," " inter- 
rupts a custom of sin, by degrees weakens the old 
man, and will in time make a strangeness be- 
tween our lusts and our souls. And let a man 
be sure of these two truths: that as he that 
comes upon his knees with a secret purpose to 
hold confederacy with any sin, he shall be the 
worse, — the more hardened, and the more neg- 
lected by that God who searches the heart; 
so whosoever he be that comes to his Maker in 
the integrity of his heart, though sin adheres as 

16 



242 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

close to that heart of his as his skin does to his 
flesh, shall find that employment will make 
those lusts that were most dear to him, by 
degrees to become strange and loose to his 
soul." 

" Prayer," says Bickersteth, " gains for us 
spiritual strength. It is that singular duty in 
which every grace is exercised, every sin op- 
posed, every blessing obtained, the whole soul 
revived, strengthened, and invigorated for the 
Christian race. Just in proportion to your 
prayers, so is your holiness, so is your useful- 
ness." 

The same writer remarks in another para- 
graph, that private prayer is an engine of greater 
power than all human means put together. 
The greatest of earthly monarchs, neglecting 
prayer, has not that power to glorify God, 
benefit man, and secure his own happiness, 
which the humble and praying Christian has. 
The prayer of a poor, destitute, and afflicted 
Christian, in the name of Christ, may turn the 
hearts of kings and princes, save his country, 
raise up pious ministers, secure a blessing to 
their labours, send the gospel to the heathen, 
and advance the kingdom of Christ in the 
world." 

In order, therefore, to secure the numerous 



PLAN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER. 243 

advantages to be derived from prayer, we pro- 
pose that all the time which can possibly be 
spared from other duties should be consecrated 
to this. Some are so situated that they can 
allot many hours each day to this holy duty. 
Others, perhaps, can find but little time for 
protracted and retired devotion. Such, how- 
ever, should so manage their affairs, and econo- 
mize their time, as to maintain a conscience 
void of offence in this matter. Where there is 
a heart — a will to serve God, — the time will 
generally be found for it. Dr. Doddridge says, 
" There are few who, with proper care, might 
not have a half or three-quarters of an hour at 
command, for reading the Scriptures and prayer, 
morning and evening.' ' 

It is much better to neglect the body a little, 
than to neglect the soul and its prosperity al- 
together. Many while away a whole hour at 
dinner, perhaps, when half of the time might be 
spent in prayer. Again, others retire to dress, 
rather than to hold communion with God. 
" Let those," says Bishop Home, " who retire 
in the middle of the day, to adorn their persons, 
take the opportunity of putting on the orna- 
ments of grace, and renewing the spirit of their 
minds." 

Whenever it is impracticable to retire for mid- 



244 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

day devotion, trie Christian should enter the in- 
ner chamber of his own heart, and there, while 
he may be about the store, shop, dwelling, street, 
or any other place, he should pour out his soul 
to God in prayer, being particularly careful to 
"watch thereunto with all perseverance." 

" When 'tis e'er denied thee 

In solitude to pray ; 
Should holy thoughts come o'er thee, 

When friends are round thy way ; 
E'en then, the silent breathing, 

Thy spirit raised above, 
Will reach the throne of glory, 

Where dwells eternal Love." 

The less time a person has for frequent and 
stated seasons of retirement, the more necessary 
it is to contract and maintain a close habit of 
ejaculatory prayer. " How highly," says Cooke, 
" would a courtier prize a privy key of admittance 
to his sovereign at all times ! This key we pos- 
sess in ejaculatory prayer. It is a golden chain 
of union between earth and heaven." 

Men of the world will confine their attention 
to their business hour after hour, and day after 
day, and so on for weeks, months, and years. 
They are not discouraged or turned aside from 
their purposes by distractions or interruptions. 
The reason is, they mind, — they love, — earthly 
things. Christian ! take a lesson of these men ; 



PLAN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER. 245 

seek a spiritual mind and spiritual things. " All 
the radii of the circle should meet in this centre, — 
in a fixedness of heart to God in his worship." 
It will then be easy to pray anywhere, and at all 
times, "without ceasing/' and "with all prayer." 

We would most earnestly recommend the 
habit of early rising for devotional purposes. 
If we had nothing else to occupy our minds, or 
take up our time, it is as highly important to 
rise early for the observance of this duty as for 
any earthly pursuit. " It was the daily practice 
of the eminent physician Boerhaave, through his 
whole life, as soon as he rose in the morning, 
which was generally very early, to retire for an 
hour to private prayer and meditation on some 
part of the Scriptures." The celebrated Col. 
Gardner, also, " used constantly to rise at four in 
the morning, and to spend his time till six in se- 
cret exercises of devotion, reading, meditation, 
and prayer." 

In the Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, we find it recommended to the preachers, 
"as often as possible to rise at four. And from 
four to five in the morning, and from five to six 
in the evening, to meditate, pray, and read the 
Scriptures." If this rule were adhered to by 
the entire Church of Christ, as it was by Wesley 
and his early coadjutors, it would have a most 



246 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

salutary effect, not only upon professed Chris- 
tians, but also upon the world generally. 

We might enumerate other examples in favour 
of this practice ; but deem it unnecessary, from 
the well-known fact, that in every age of the 
world persons who were eminent for their piety 
and usefulness have, with few exceptions, been 
early risers, and that for devotional and benevo- 
lent purposes. 

In addition to the time gained for prayer by 
early rising, we would recommend the setting 
apart some part of our remaining time for the 
same object. It is said of Luther, that " not a 
day passed in which he did not employ in prayer 
three at least of his very best hours.' ' Many 
other examples might be referred to, but we pass 
to notice the example of Christ. We read in 
the Scriptures of his going " out into a mountain 
to pray, and continuing all night in prayer to 
God ;" and again we are told, that, " rising up 
a great while before day, he went out into a 
solitary place, and there prayed.'' What touch- 
ing examples are these of protracted devotion ! 
Here he is alone with God ! O what a place is 
this for the Christian ! A place where he may 
see light in God's light, — where he may discover 
his relations to God, to heaven, to Jesus, and all 
holy beings. Here the mind of the Infinite in- 



PLAN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER. 247 

fuses itself into that of the finite. Here open 
up to the devout mind incomprehensible scenes 
of infinite glory. 

On another occasion, the Saviour " took Peter, 
and James, and John, and went up into a moun- 
tain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of 
his countenance was altered, and his raiment was 
white and glistering. " Again we trace him to 
the garden of Gethsemane : Here the most 
touchiugly awful scene transpired that heaven 
and earth ever witnessed in the form of devotion. 
He withdrew from his disciples u about a stone's 
cast, and kneeled down and prayed, saying, Fa- 
ther, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me ; 
nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done. 
And there appeared an angel unto him from hea- 
ven, strengthening him. And being in an agony 
he prayed more earnestly ; and his sweat was as 
it were great drops of blood falling down to the 
ground." 

If such protracted and frequent seasons of 
prayer were observed by the Son of God, should 
not poor, weak, erring, and sinful man use the 
same means of grace. Christian ! in thy 
heights of joy, or depths of agony, follow Je- 
sus in this particular. Think not that a few 
brief and hasty prayers will dethrone Satan, and 
save a perishing world. A writer, in advocating 



248 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

the utility of protracted seasons of devotion, says, 
u I cannot hesitate to say, that I have learned 
more of human nature, and of God, in all the 
phases in which he exhibits himself to his crea- 
tures, while continuing in immediate communion 
with him for an hour, or hours together, than in 
any other, or all other ways. The great Teacher 
himself has taught me more in a few moments, 
than man can teach in multiplied volumes." 
Many devout persons can attest this fact from 
their own experience. 

To help in the observance of an hour or two 
at a stated or consecrated season of private de- 
votion, we will make the following suggestions 
on intercessory prayer : 

We will begin with prayer for our relatives, 
and those with whom we are immediately con- 
nected in life. At certain times they should all 
be remembered separately. Rev. Mr. Romaine 
" devoted two hours every Friday to particular 
intercession with God for his friends. He had 
their names written down on paper, and used 
to walk about his room, mentioning them one by 
one, and specifying their wants as far as he 
knew them, with earnest supplication." 

It is also said of Col. Gardner, to whom we 
have already referred, that " when he received 
a letter from any of his Christian friends which 



PLAN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER. 249 

particularly affected his heart, he could not stay 
till the stated return of his devotional hour, but 
immediately retired to pray for them, and to 
give vent to those religious emotions of mind 
which such a correspondence raised. " How in- 
valuable was such a friend ! 

Mr. Sheppard, in his " Thoughts on Private 
Devotion," says, " With respect to other friends, 
it seems most natural and expedient, that our 
prayers should be but occasional, in order that 
they may then be the more prolonged. There 
are few of our best friends whom we can visit 
daily. How happy would some be, if they 
could meet even yearly ! But if we made it a 
rule of piety and kindness daily to offer up par- 
ticular intercession for one individual, or one 
household, and thus successively for each, these 
secret visits of the heart would, in many instan- 
ces, be far more frequent than our personal in- 
tercourse can be. Amidst the inclemency of 
winter, or in the chamber of sickness, we might 
still make swift excursions, and offer the best, 
though unheard salutations of Christian affec- 
tion." 

We are taught to pray for rulers, that they 
may " be just, ruling in the fear of God," and 
" working righteousness," a " terror to evil-doers, 
and a praise to them that do well." 



250 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

The duty of praying for ministers is also en- 
joined upon us ; and how important it is that 
heaven's ambassadors should be " full of faith 
and the Holy Ghost," — " burning and shining 
lights," — instrumental in turning "many to 
righteousness," and " from the power of Satan 
unto God ;" and being " an example of the be- 
lievers in word, in conversation, in charity, in 
spirit, in faith, in purity !" 

For the Church of Christ prayer should also 
be made. " For Zion's sake," should every 
praying soul exclaim, " I will not hold my peace, 
and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until 
the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, 
and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burn- 
etii ;" and that it may be " a glorious Church, 
not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing ; 
but that it should be holy and without blemish" 
— the " salt of the earth" — the " city set on an 
hill, which cannot be hid." 

Teachers should also be subjects of interces- 
sion with those who are under them. For these 
we should pray, that they may have wisdom and 
grace to " train up a child in the way he should 
go," both temporally and spiritually. The rudi- 
ments of a holy and useful life should be taught 
by every instructor. 

Prayer too should be offered for children and 



PLAN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER. 251 

youth. On these dear objects of a Saviour's 
love, the future welfare of the Church and world 
depends. 0, Christian reader ! spread out before 
thy mind, in all its bearings, the duties and re- 
sponsibilities which are soon to fall on their 
youthful hearts ; and then, in the fulness of thy 
soul, pray that the Holy Ghost, — that gift of 
gifts, — may rest upon them, and draw them early 
to seek the Saviour, that they may find him, and 
thereby become ornaments to the Church, and 
a blessing to the world. 

Editors and authors, as persons who exert, for 
good or for evil, an extensive influence, should 
not be forgotten in our supplications. How be- 
coming the Christian to pray for them, that they 
may be kept or restrained from publishing 
anything of a pernicious and destructive ten- 
dency, and that they may be influenced by holy 
and virtuous principles. 

Physicians are a class of men which few think 
of making a subject of special prayer. To their 
professional skill the lives of many are commit- 
ted, and on that life eternal consequences are 
suspended. How necessary, then, to pray that 
such men may be Christians, and so prepared to 
be physicians to the souls as well as to the bodies 
of their patients ! It is a well-known fact, that 
these men often have access to, and influence 



252 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

with, persons when sick and dying, that no 
others, not even ministers, have. This influence 
and opportunity to do good, God has given 
them through his providences in their profes- 
sional calling. Yet it is to be feared that very 
few realize their fearful responsibility in this 
matter. To those who do not, it may well be said, 
" Physician, heal thyself !" 

We would also suggest the propriety of pray- 
ing for the removal of great and prevailing sins 
— licentiousness, for example. From Genesis to 
Revelation this sin is condemned in the most 
emphatic terms. Facts, detailing curses and 
judgments poured out upon cities and individu- 
als, stand out in bold relief as a warning to 
"them that after should live ungodly." The 
judgment of the great day will develop most 
appalling sins of this description. Could the fact 
that " every secret thing " is to be brought up 
before an assembled universe, and the " great 
white throne " be kept before the eye of the 
transgressor, we think there would be many 
turning from their deeds of darkness, and wash- 
ing their robes and making them white in the 
blood of the Lamb. 0, Christian ! pray this may 
be the case. We appeal to you in the name of 
Christ, whose disciples you profess to be, to pray 
and live against all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. 



PLAN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER. 253 

Thus we might proceed to spread out, though 
briefly, many other subjects for prayer ; but 
enough, we believe, has been said for the reader 
to understand the plan which we would suggest. 
A due amount of meditation and suitable read- 
ing should always be connected with it, if time 
and opportunity permit. This is very essential 
to aid the Christian to " pray with the spirit and 
with the understanding also." 

We would suggest also that, when we hear or 
know of persons being in affliction on account 
of the death of friends, or of any other providen- 
tial trial, we add them, at least for a season, to 
our list of subjects for prayer, that their afflic- 
tions may be sanctified to them, and God glori- 
fied in the result. 

Before closing this chapter we would further 
suggest the propriety, yea, duty and utility, of 
connecting occasional fastings with our stated or 
occasional seasons of protracted devotion. 

It has been observed by Parr, that " religious 
fasting is a notable help to prayer, and is often 
commended to us in the word of God. It is a 
voluntary abstaining from dinner or supper, or 
both, as our bodies will bear, and from all deli- 
cacies, for one day or more, undertaken to 
make us more fit for prayer and repentance. 
The ends in our fastings are : First, A fitting 



254 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

ourselves for prayer, that we may be the more 
lively and earnest; and, secondly, That it may 
be a help to and testimony of our sorrow for 
sin, and of our humiliation before God." 

There are many professed Christians who 
know little of the advantages to be derived 
from a Scriptural observance of this duty. The 
word of God abounds with instruction, com- 
mands, and encouragement on this subject. And 
every Christian, who would mortify the lusts 
of the flesh, overcome all sin, and have power 
with God in behalf of others, should come up 
to a Scriptural observance of this duty. There 
is a faith, — a divine power for doing good, — 
which can be obtained in no other way. 

When a certain man brought his child to the 
early disciples of Christ, to have an evil spirit 
cast out of him, they could not do it ; and the 
man afterward brought his child to Jesus, who 
cast out the evil spirit, and healed him. Then 
the disciples asked, "Why could not we cast him 
out ?" Jesus answered them, saying, " Because 
of your unbelief;" and then added, " This kind 
can come forth by nothing but by prayer and 
fasting." May we not infer from this, that 
prayer and fasting are necessary in order to 
overcome our unbelief, and to gain power with 
God for the benefit of others ? 



PLAN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER. 255 

We would not attach anything, in itself meri- 
torious, to fasting and prayer ; but we do say 
it is a means of grace, whereby we may draw 
near to God, — overcome the world, the flesh, 
and Satan; and whereby we may, in a most 
benevolent and universal sense, " do good unto 
all men." 

Jesus, our great exemplar, fasted often ; on 
one occasion, just before entering on his public 
ministry, he fasted forty days. It is very 
probable that he not only fasted, but wrestled 
in prayer, during that time, against temptations 
of every possible description which Satan could 
devise: not only those specified, but also 
those spoken of by the Apostle Paul, where he 
says, " For we wrestle not against flesh and 
blood, but against principalities, against powers, 
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 
against spiritual wickedness in high places." 
Jesus has doubtless given us his example of 
steadfast resistance of Satan's devices, of his 
frequent and protracted seasons of prayer and 
fasting, for our encouragement and imitation. 
If he used means of grace, it is not for his fol- 
lowers to discard or neglect them. The writer 
firmly believes that an abuse or neglect of the 
means of grace which God hath appointed for 
his people's observance, has been the means of 



256 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

plunging many, very many, souls into perdition. 
"Ye are my friends/' says Jesus, "if ye do 
whatsoever I command you." It is through 
obedience to the commands of Christ, that his 
people are to become the " salt of the earth." 
We say, through obedience; obedience to the 
command and duty of prayer, — of fasting, of 
self-denial, of open and direct effort to save 
souls, including each and every other require- 
ment enjoined by the Word and the Spirit of 
God : all to be done in faith, with a single eye 
to the Divine glory. Then, and not till then, 
shall we be able to say with the Psalmist, 
*f Then will I teach transgressors thy ways, and 
sinners shall be converted unto thee." 

In regard to the manner of fasting, we think 
many people err. Some think because their 
health is feeble they must not fast; others 
think it will not do for them, because their call- 
ing is a laborious one, — if they did not eat they 
could not work. We think it best that such 
persons should not abstain from all food, but 
simply for one or two days, or more, to deny 
themselves of all luxuries. This often proves 
advantageous to physical as well as spiritual 
health. In fasting, as well as in everything 
else we undertake, there should be a sincere 
purpose of heart to please God— to make our- 



PLAN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER. 25*7 

selves, through his grace assisting us, more 
fully qualified to meet and discharge our indi- 
vidual duties in the best possible manner. 

Christian reader ! let us bear this in mind, 
that by our neglecting to improve the gifts of 
God, which are bestowed upon us for useful- 
ness, souls are suffering, — yea, perishing, — and 
that eternally. We shall soon meet them at 
the bar of God. It will be known there how 
much pains we have taken — how much effort 
put forth — to save them. Yes, it will be 
known there how much we have prayed for 
them, and how much we have wept over them, 
as did Jesus over Jerusalem. 

It is to be feared that few of us realize our 
individual responsibilities to offer in behalf of a 
fallen, perishing world, the prayer of faith. It 
is mocking God not to pray in faith, — " Whatso- 
ever is not of faith, is sin." 

Before closing this chapter, we must offer a few 
thoughts on another very important point stand- 
ing in close connexion with all Christian expe- 
rience and duty, and especially with that of 
effectual praying, — we mean the influence of the 
Holy Ghost. Here we realize, as we have in 
no other undertaking, that 

" Thoughts are broken, and language lame." 
17 



258 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

We want this divine Agent to touch our heart, 
— our lips, — our pen, — yea, all our powers, — with 
its life-giving and sin- consuming energy. With- 
out it we are dead to an experimental conscious- 
ness that Christ is a " Prince and a Saviour, for 
to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of 
sin," — dead to all the knowledge of " Christ in 
us the hope of glory," — dead as to any know- 
ledge of the immortality of the soul and its fu- 
ture destiny, — dead as to a realization of the " ex- 
ceeding great and precious promises" of the gos- 
pel, — dead to the "power of Christ's resurrec- 
tion and the fellowship of his sufferings, — yes ! 
dead to all these, and much more which relates 
to spiritual life and salvation. For " the natural 
man," says the Apostle, " receiveth not the things 
of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto 
him, neither can he know them, because they 
are spiritually discerned." Again : " The things 
of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." 
And again, " It is written, Eye hath not seen, 
nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart 
of man, the things which God hath prepared for 
them that love him : but God hath revealed 
them unto us by his Spirit ; for the Spirit search- 
eth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 
Therefore, " that we might know the things that 
are freely given to us of God," the Holy Ghost 



PLAN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER. 259 

has come to our fallen and benighted race : 
"This is the light/' which, in a greater or less 
degree, "lighteth every man that cometh into 
the world." This is the " Holy Spirit of promise," 
by which the saints of God can and do know that 
their "fellowship is with the Father, and with his 
Son Jesus Christ." " The Spirit beareth witness 
with our spirit that we are the children of God," 
if we have put on Christ, through " belief of the 
truth." 

And now, dear readers, we entreat you to give 
earnest heed to the teachings of the Bible on this 
momentous theme, especially as to the office of 
the Spirit in aiding us to pray effectually. Doc- 
tor Owen has observed, "that it cannot be de- 
nied that the assistance which the Holy Spirit 
gives us in our prayers and supplications, is more 
frequently and expressly asserted in Scripture 
than any other operation of his whatever." This 
is doubtless true; for "the Spirit helpeth our 
infirmities ; for we know not what we should pray 
for as we ought : but the Spirit maketh interces- 
sion for us with groanings which cannot be 
uttered." 

Before Christ left this world, he promised to 
send the Holy Ghost. This, he declared to his 
disciples "shall teach you all things; he shall 
guide you into all truth, — he shall show you 



260 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

things to come; he shall glorify me: for he 
shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 
He will reprove the world of sin, and of righte- 
ousness, and of judgment to come. ,, He further 
said to his disciples, whom he had just been in- 
structing to preach his gospel in all the world, 
" Behold I send the promise of my Father upon 
you ; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until 
ye be endued with power from on high." They 
did "tarry," and, being assembled " with one ac- 
cord in one place, suddenly there came a sound 
from heaven, as of a rushing, mighty wind, and 
it filled all the house where they were sitting. 
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, 
like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them ; and 
they were all filled with the Holy Ghost." Then 
they began to speak and to labour for the souls 
of men, with powerful and successful efforts. 
About three thousand souls were added to the 
Lord, and numbered with his people, on that day. 
Now we hope all our Christian readers will obey 
the instruction of their risen Lord, and tarry in 
prayer, — in earnest and believing prayer, — until 
" endued with power from on high." Then, and 
not till then, will you speak and labour with good 
and powerful success for the salvation of souls. 



CONCLUSION. 261 

CHAPTER XIX. 

CONCLUSION. 

In embracing and carrying out the principle of 
personal Christian effort, it is not required that 
we possess any particular amount of health, learn- 
ing, wealth, or influence. It consists in doing 
and being the best we can under existing circum- 
stances. " It requires," says Hinton, in his work 
on Individual Effort, " no neglect of the ordinary 
duties of life, no absence from business, no violent 
effort, no cost of money, (i, e., beyond our means.) 
The efforts now advocated are such as Christians 
can make in, and not out of, the common occu- 
pations of life, without any deviation from dili- 
gence in business, propriety of manners, or the 
necessary wisdom of piety. Such efforts have 
immense advantages in comparison with any other 
which can be made." 

Rev. T. Scott, in his life of that eminent man, 
Rev. John Bunyan, says, "he was confined in 
Bedford jail more than twelve years ; and during 
this tedious imprisonment, or at least a part of 
it, he had no books except a Bible, and ' Fox's 
Marty rology ;' yet in this situation he penned the 
Pilgrim's Progress, and many other treatises." 



262 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

It is said also of the good Richard Baxter, that 
he wrote his excellent book, " The Saints' Ever- 
lasting Rest," on a bed of sickness, and " in such 
an ill state of health as to be in continual expec- 
tation of death for many months/ ' That eminent 
and useful writer, Charlotte Elizabeth, and many 
others to whom we might refer, have written 
amid severe trials and difficulties, whose labours 
God has crowned with blessed results. We al- 
lude to these incidents, more particularly to en- 
courage our pious readers to trust in God, and 
to do the best, and all they can, to make the 
world better for their being in it, however em- 
barrassing and discouraging may be their circum- 
stances. 

" I have heard Mr. Cecil," says his biographer, 
"mention, with much feeling, many deep and 
secret conflicts of mind with which he was ex- 
ercised while at college ; added to which, he had 
to meet many insults which profligate men offer 
to piety. Under these impressions, he was one 
day walking in the physic gardens, where he ob- 
served a very fine pomegranate-tree, cut almost 
through the stems near the root. On asking the 
gardener the reason of this, ' Sir/ said he, * this 
tree used to shoot so strong, that it bore nothing 
but leaves ; I was therefore obliged to cut it in 
this manner; and when it was almost cut 



CONCLUSION. 263 

through, then it began to bear plenty of fruit.' 
The gardener's explanation of this act conveyed 
a striking illustration to Mr. Cecil's mind, and he 
went back to his room comforted and instructed 
by this image." 

Thus God invariably orders his providences, 
his chastening, and all his dealings with the 
children of men, for their profit and his own glory. 
For this cause he has committed the treasures 
of grace to " earthen vessels, that the excellency 
of the power may be of God, and not of us." 
Let us not, therefore, be discouraged, or hinder- 
ed, as we have before remarked, from doing and 
being the best we can under existing circum- 
stances. 

Before taking leave of our readers, we shall 
offer a few more thoughts in regard to the man- 
ner of proceeding, or dealing with souls. We 
do not know that it can be given in a more clear 
and simple style than in the language of the 
faithful Baxter, to whom we have so frequently 
referred. He says, " Choose the fittest season. 
Deal not with men when they are in a passion, 
or where they will take it for a disgrace. When 
the earth is soft, the plough will enter. Take a 
man when he is under affliction, or newly im- 
pressed under a sermon. Christian faithfulness 
requires us not only to do good when it falls in 



264 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

our way, but to watch for opportunities. Suit 
yourself also to the quality and temper of the 
person. You must deal with the ingenious more 
by argument than persuasion. There is need of 
both to the ignorant. The affections of the con- 
vinced should be deeply excited. The obstinate 
must be sharply reproved. The timorous must 
be dealt with tenderly. Love, and plainness, and 
seriousness, take with all ; but words of terror 
some can scarce bear. Use also the aptest ex- 
pressions. Unseeming language makes the hear- 
ers loathe the food they should live by; espe- 
cially if they be men of curious ears and carnal 
hearts. Let all your reproofs and exhortations 
be backed with the authority of God. Let sin- 
ners be convinced that you speak not of your 
own head. Turn them to the very chapter and 
verse where their sin is condemned, and their 
duty commanded. The voice of man is con- 
temptible, but the voice of God is awful and ter- 
rible. They may reject your words, that dare 
not reject the words of the Almighty. Be fre- 
quent in this duty of exhortation. 

" If we are ' always to pray, and not to faint/ 
because God will have us importunate with 
himself ; the same course, no doubt, will be most 
prevailing with men. Therefore we are com- 
manded 'to exhort one another daily/ and 



CONCLUSION. 265 

* with all long-suffering.' The fire is not 
always brought out of the flint at one stroke, 
nor men's affections kindled at the first exhor- 
tation. And if they, were, yet, if they be not 
followed, they will soon grow cold again. Fol- 
low sinners with your loving and earnest en- 
treaties, and give them no rest in their sin. 
This is true charity, — the way to save men's 
souls, — and will afford you comfort upon re- 
view. Strive to bring all your exhortations to 
an issue. If we speak the most convincing 
words, and all our care is over with our speech, 
we shall seldom prosper in our labours : but 
God usually blesses their labours, whose very 
heart is set upon the conversion of their hear- 
ers, and who are therefore inquiring after the 
success of their work. If you reprove a sin, 
cease not till the sinner promises to leave it. 
If you are exhorting to a duty, urge for a pro- 
mise to set about it immediately. If you would 
draw men to Christ, leave not till you have 
made them confess the misery of their present 
unregenerate state, and the necessity of Christ, 
and of a change, and have promised you to fall 
close to the use of means. that all Christians 
would take this course with all their neighbours 
that are enslaved to sin, and strangers to Christ. 
Once more, be sure your example exhort as 



266 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

well as your words. Let them see you con- 
stant in all the duties you persuade them to. 
Let them see in your lives that superiority to 
the world which your lips recommend. Let 
them see by your constant labours for heaven 
that you indeed believe what you would have 
them believe. A holy and heavenly life is a 
continual pain to the consciences of sinners 
around you, and continually solicits them to 
change their course." 

One way of securing an influence with the sin- 
ner for the benefit of his soul, which many pro- 
fessed Christians overlook, is to show kindness 
and attention to his temporal as well as spiritual 
wants, when sick, or in poverty, or distress of 
any kind. A little money, or time, or labour 
thus devoted, often opens the avenue to an im- 
penitent heart, which a purely religious effort 
could never produce. 

An example of Col. Gardner's is worthy of 
imitation in this respect. Dr. Doddridge says 
of him : "I remember I had once occasion to 
visit one of his dragoons in his last illness at 
Harborough, and I found the man upon the bor- 
ders of eternity ; a circumstance which, as he 
apprehended himself, must add some peculiar 
weight and credibility to his discourse. And he 
then told me, in the colonel's absence, that he 



CONCLUSION. 261 

questioned not but he should have everlasting 
reason to bless God on Col. Gardner's account ; 
for he had been a father to him in all his inter- 
ests, both temporal and spiritual. He added, 
that he visited him almost every day during his 
illness, with religious advice and instruction, as 
well as taking care that he should want nothing 
that might conduce to the recovery of his health. 
And he did not speak of this as the result of 
any particular attachment to him, but as the 
manner in which he was accustomed to treat 
those under his command.'' 

Thus the Saviour, while tabernacled in the 
flesh, "went about doing good" to the bodies 
as well as the souls of men. Blessed example ! 
Would that more of his professed followers imi- 
tated it ! Holy Spirit ! descend, and rest upon 
the reader's heart, and fire it with love and zeal 
to follow in the holy and self-denying footsteps 
of Jesus ! 

In setting about the work which we have 
sought in these pages to bring before the mind, we 
suggest a commencement at the point nearest 
home. Thus the early Christians, after receiving 
their power and commission from on high, com- 
menced where they received it, at Jerusalem. So 
Paul, when he was converted and commissioned 
to preach the gospel, began just where he was, 



268 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

at Damascus. Even now the same requirement 
and obligation holds good. We should com- 
mence just where we are, if we have never done 
so before. The husband should labour for the 
wife, and the wife for the husband ; the parent 
for the child, and the child for the parent ; the 
brother for the sister, and the sister for the bro- 
ther ; and so on, till every person within the 
reach of our individual influence has been faith- 
fully dealt with, — so faithfully that our skirts 
shall be clear from the blood of every soul who 
shall persist in sin, and finally perish. 

To this end we present the following brief 
rules, for the adoption of those who are without 
a fixed and definite method or course of la- 
bour : — 

1st. I will consecrate myself, soul and body, 
all my faculties, powers, and possessions, from 
this time henceforth, to God and to his ser- 
vice. 

2d. I will endeavour to cultivate a realizing 
sense of the worth of souls, the uncertainty of 
human life, and the fearful responsibilities con- 
nected with it. 

3d. I will endeavour to make and leave such 
impressions for God, on every individual with 
whom I may meet or associate, as I shall not be 
ashamed of in the final judgment. 



CONCLUSION. 269 

4th. I will make direct, constant, and faithful 
effort for the salvation of individuals. 

5 th. I will, if practicable, pray with all per- 
sons for whom I make such effort ; and espe- 
cially pray for all such in secret, at least once or 
twice a day, till death or conversion puts an end 
to my efforts. — Perhaps this rule might be varied 
in regard to the times of praying in secret for 
particular individuals. Some devoted labourers 
make it the almost incessant and constant bur- 
den of their supplications, till they gain the wit- 
ness or assurance that the desire of their heart 
will be granted, and then they pray more occa- 
sionally for that object ; just enough to keep 
their faith unwavering. Cases might be alluded 
to within the knowledge of the writer, where 
Christians have kept their unconverted friends 
bound by the cords of faith for years, on the divine 
altar ; and during that time have not doubted 
in regard to the salvation of the individuals thus 
offered in sacrifice to God. We believe it best, 
as a general thing, to stick close in prayer for 
such as have been selected for special effort, till 
we gain this assurance. The widow's importunity 
— "her continual coming," — was the point in 
which she prevailed with the unjust judge. 
" Shall not God avenge his own elect, who cry 
day and night unto him, though he bear long 



270 CHRISTIAN EFFORT. 

with them ? I tell you that he will avenge them 
speedily." 

6th. I will endeavour while praying to exer- 
cise faith in the promises of God, because I am 
required and encouraged to do so. " What things 
soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye 
receive them, and ye shall have them." 

7 th. I will do all things with a single eye to 
the glory of God, and with persevering purpose 
of heart to rest solely on the merits and efficacy 
of Christ's atonement for all I have, or want, in 
time and in eternity. 

And now, dear reader, are you prepared to 
affix your name, your hand, your heart to the 
above rules ? If not, what excuse can you make ? 
The retributions of a judgment day are just be- 
fore you. see to it that no excuses are framed 
which cannot stand in that great day ! In view 
of living for God, for the souls of men, for hea- 
ven and immortal glory, I once more ask, in the 
language of the holy Baxter, What is " Thy 
Resolution ? Wilt thou yield obedience, or not ? 
I am confident thy conscience is convinced of thy 
duty. Darest thou go on in thy common, care- 
less course, against the plain evidence of reason 
and the commands of God, and against the light 
of thy own conscience ? Darest thou live as loose- 
ly, sin as boldly, and pray as seldom as before ? 



CONCLUSION. 271 

Or dost thou rather resolve to gird up the loins 
of thy mind, and set thyself wholly to the work 
of thy salvation, and break through the opposi- 
tions, and slight the scoffs and persecutions of 
the world, and ' lay aside every weight, and the 
sin which doth so easily beset thee, and run with 
patience the race set before thee ?' I hope these 
are thy full resolutions. " "Blessed are they 
that do His commandments, that they may have 
right to the tree of life, and may enter in through 
the gates into the city." 

11 that all the joy might know 
Of living thus to thee ! 
Find their heaven begun below, 
And here thy glory see ! 

" Walk in all thy works prepared 
To exercise their grace, 
Till they gain their full reward, 
And see thy glorious face !" 



THE END. 



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